obsessive thoughts and special interests

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 142309.htm
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While it may seem counterintuitive, Morsella argues that the mind's inability to shut out unwanted thoughts is a good thing in most cases. "A lot of things that seem bad about the brain reflect part of its overall architecture, which was selected through evolution because, in most cases, it is adaptive," Morsella said.
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I think this research provides some good clues on how special interests manifest itself and take precedence over other aspects of life. As pointed out by the authors of the research, in many cases obsessive behaviour has a useful purpose. Finding a way to make a living out of a special interest can make a huge difference, turning a miserable existence into pure fun.

The caveat of course is that obsessive thoughts don't tend to be limited to special interests. However, having a special interest that can be put to productive use is a great aid for switching gears from negative or unproductive obsessive thoughts.

It's really weird that people can't not subvocalize or count letters in words.
I don't subvocalize words or count letters in words when I see pictures.

The concrete experiment conducted by the researchers illustrates a phenomenon that applies to the general population. Also note that the experiment relies on explicitly instructing people not to subvocalise or count letters, and that even with the instructions, the rates of subvocalisation and letter counting were far from 100%. Without the instructions, most subjects may have reacted quite differently to the pictures.

I simply think that a corresponding mechanism may be at work in relation to any obsessive thoughts that people may have, not limited in any way to the context of subvocalisation and letter counting when viewing images.

What phenomenon is at work in relation to any obsessive thoughts that people may have?

The inability or extreme difficulty to switch to a different context, especially when consciously attempting to do so.

In my experience, in order to switch thought patterns, it helps if the alternative context that one attempts to switch to is associated with an obsession of comparable strength.

I'm trying to think if I have obsessive thoughts, but I don't think I have a lot of obsessive thoughts.
I have obsession in one thing only, it dominates most of my thoughts and behaviors, but I can switch from away it at will knowing that I can return after the distraction is over, I don't need to switch much though, there are not many distractions from it in my life.

I think my mother has truly obsessive thoughts, but lacks the one single obsession pattern of behavior that I have. She obsesses over things and seems unable to switch off those thoughts for long periods.

If the number of distractions you have is low, you are lucky, and your special interest will keep you sane.

If the number of distractions gets to the point where you feel that you don't have enough time for your special interest, it is time to retract from the toxic social context.


This seems to support what I was postulating about the positive if not essential role of special interests that can be put to productive use. If there is no special interest, other obsessive thoughts may fill the void. Similarly, if the special interest is not productive or not socially acceptable, the result can be a miserable existence.

Obsessive thoughts and obsessive behavior can literally take over your entire life. My obsessions literally had my in chains and haunted me everywhere I would go. Don't ever let your obsessions take over as they take on a personality of their own.

I have done CRAZY things because of obsessions.