Once my mind is set on something, i can't stop thinking about it

71% Normal
6 Comments

I have a problem in which I seem to have a complete lack of prioritization. Whenever something piques my interest, my mind is fixed on it. I can't shift my focus to something else, regardless of how important it is, until I either fulfill my desires or I wait extended periods doing nothing until I calm down. And believe me, if I choose to act on the urge, I will pursue it relentlessly until I get it. Is this attitude normal?

Voting Results
71% Normal
Based on 28 votes (20 yes)
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Comments ( 6 )
  • NeuroNeptunian
    8 years ago

    If it's not damaging your physical or emotional well being then yeah, it's normal. If it's seriously bothering you then no, it might not be normal. If you're suffering for it in some way, like you are prioritizing stupid, trivial tasks over say, things you need to do at work or school or with your family then that's not really normal.

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    • [Old Memory]
      8 years ago

      I am not OP, but I have this same issue.
      There are things that have bothered me for years that I do not know how to stop obsessing over even though I realize how unhealthy it is.
      Is there any way for someone to control their own thoughts?

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      • NeuroNeptunian
        8 years ago

        I have a tendency to obsess over painful memories and such. I am in the process of getting myself out of it right now - I'll listen to music to drown the thoughts out whenever they arise, I'll picture throwing my thoughts in a shredder, down a hole, into a room and closing the door and so far it helps. In a way, I use religion to help me out with that bit even though I am not religious, I pray for the memories to go into remission and hope that the synapses supporting the memories break whenever I drown them out.

        It's a symptom of anxiety disorder for starters (which I have taken medication for with a good amount of success), and it is considered to be a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder of the Obsessive subtype (OCD is a variant of anxiety disorder) so just knowing that you have a problem helps you come to realize that hey, this is just some neurological bullshit. These thoughts are the result of a fucked up connection in my brain and don't actually mean anything.

        It isn't something that happens overnight and sometimes will take me weeks to get off the thought and the feelings attached but it can happen, you just need to get into the habit of taking conscious control of your thoughts.

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  • misskittymeow
    8 years ago

    Its normal for me, at least. I am extremely obsessive/compulsive. Some days are better than others....sometimes I have to just let things go, oftentimes through prayer and self talks, or talking to someone else. Other times I just roll with it...but then that can lead to a destructive phase for me. I do realize that normal for me doesn't always mean its healthy.

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  • Cuntsiclestick
    8 years ago

    This sounds like the way my teenage self acted whenever a new WWE or Dragon Ball Z video game I wanted came out. XD. I'll vote normal.

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  • Shackleford96
    8 years ago

    It sounds like it could be normal. Could you give us some specific examples?

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