I have a friend who laments she cannot find a partner. She is gay (I am not) so when she tells me tales of past relationships and the aftermath of breakups I don't usually comment much. But this last time she reported actions that were boarderline stalking and she has not clue. [more inside]
posted by shaarog on Nov 19, 2009 - 10 answers

A child I know and love appears to have behaviors consistent with OCD. I'd love to hear your personal experiences with treating or adapting to this condition/way of being. [more inside]
posted by serazin on Aug 8, 2009 - 13 answers

I really love the Ray-Ban Caravan (RB3136). I really wish it had polarized lenses. Can you help me find a similar style? [more inside]
posted by bobot on Mar 30, 2009 - 11 answers

Why do I become obsessive, particularly in the early stage of getting to know someone? How do I stop it? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Feb 11, 2009 - 19 answers

Is there a term for the type of person that tends to becomes an obsessive fan of a particular book, movie, TV show, etc.? Sometimes obscure, sometimes not so obscure? [more inside]
posted by Quidam on Jul 7, 2008 - 30 answers

I'm trying to figure out how to be less paranoid and obsessive and how to not replay past and future negative scenarios in my head constantly – eventually getting myself in trouble. Often, I go over negative things that I've overheard or have suspicions about, and negative recent occurrences (like getting fired recently or conversations that might have left me in a bad light in someone else’s view). I feel paranoid about anything I cannot control and have ever had problems with perhaps. I was recently fired from a job for generally being too confrontational with my boss about things I saw going wrong and things I was feeling paranoid about. The thing is -- the paranoia is somewhat justified, and I have a hard time believing that it's possible not to worry about stuff all the time. And now at my new job I feel that I’m at risk of the same behavior, feeling jaded already about my new work situation and worrying constantly about everything in my life (and about not having a life, and even about worrying too much itself!) – how can I feel more relaxed and just chill out? [more inside]
posted by albatross5000 on Jun 23, 2008 - 10 answers

I have some friends (a married couple) from Denver who have just found out that 1) his mother had a stroke at the age of 70, 2) his mother was a hoarder, and has kept everything in her house for the past thirty-plus years that she's been living alone (with no power, heat, or water) 3) in Peoria, IL. I'm trying to find resources that they can use on their limited budget for psychological (support group), financial, and other assistance. [more inside]
posted by SpecialK on Nov 19, 2007 - 10 answers

will living at home for a semester revert me back into being a baby? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 6, 2007 - 11 answers

I want to make sure that the next time I rip my CD collection is the last time. What should I know? [more inside]
posted by reventlov on Dec 29, 2006 - 8 answers

Is there a name for the behaviour where someone becomes so fixated on 'family' and family visits/occasions that they become controlling, unreasonable and obsessive to the point where they end up driving family members away? Is there a psychological disorder or term which might cover this? [more inside]
posted by Flitcraft on Oct 26, 2006 - 17 answers

Where can I find lockable food &/or drink containers? [more inside]
posted by ObscureReferenceMan on Mar 14, 2006 - 30 answers

I'm obsessed with quantifying things and ranking things. While it doesn't seem to have any negative effects on my life, I do think about it constantly. Am I obsessive-compulsive? Should I talk to a psychatrist? I was afraid to talk about it for most of my life (referring to it as my "research project"), but now I'm starting to open up about it, and it's making me consider how it could be affecting my personality. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Jun 6, 2005 - 17 answers

After having used the web obsessively for about eight years now, both for work and pleasure, I've noticed I've developed certain attention deficit disorder symptoms, i.e. I find myself leafing through books, reading only chapter and subchapter headers and then move on. Similarly, when I watch a movie on TV, I find myself switching channels all the time, watching other programs (even movies) simultaneously. The thing is, I don't really feel I'm missing out much, because I "get the general idea" anyway, I'm just getting three general ideas instead of fully absorbing one. Is this bad? Anyone else doing this? Comments and insights welcome.
posted by dagny on Jul 17, 2004 - 32 answers