Obsessive-compulsive?

[kingfisher]

A simple way of thinking about OCD is this:
1) There is a thought that frequently enters the mind, or occupies the mind for great periods of time. This is the obsession.
2) There is an activity of some kind, performed in order to keep the obsession at bay. This is the compulsion.

Here's my hypothesis. We're all obsessed with shaving; we come onto this forum, buy razors, blades, brushes, soaps, creams, and aftershaves as compulsive activities.

What do you think? Any merit to my hypothesis?

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I'd shave my whole body if I wouldn't look like a freak----just for the practice.

 

[Geordon]

Speaking as an OCD patient, you're missing the mark. The obsessive component is totally involuntary, unwanted and (in many cases) literally CANNOT BE STOPPED. It also causes the obsessor distress, and often in great quantities.

The compulsive part generally doesn't keep the obsession at bay. Rather, it ameliorates the distress that the obsession causes. It doesn't make the obsession go away. The relief that the compulsion brings is only temporary, and can be very short-term

Further details on OCD as a medical condition are here (National Institute of Mental Health).

I get a little touchy when OCD is thrown around carelessly, so please forgive me if I come off as cross.

 

[SpyvSpy]

Glad I don't have OCD as I call it (oh crap it's dirty) I know people that have it but they learned to live happily with it.

 

[BCatl]

In the modern world many thoughts enter the mind for great periods of time. Most of them we had rather not think about. We've pretty much been trained and taught to consume ourselves out of unhappiness (which is impossible, but never mind).

The compulsion is to buy anything, doesn't matter what it is. Around here it happens to be shaving related (for the most part).

It doesn't surprise me that we have so much clinical OCD today simply because we have so much that needs forgetting (and a larger and larger feeling of helplessness because it's almost impossible to do anything constructive about it)! Don't watch or read the news (which is another reason to be here).

 

[kingfisher]

Speaking as an OCD patient, you're missing the mark. The obsessive component is totally involuntary, unwanted and (in many cases) literally CANNOT BE STOPPED. It also causes the obsessor distress, and often in great quantities.

The compulsive part generally doesn't keep the obsession at bay. Rather, it ameliorates the distress that the obsession causes. It doesn't make the obsession go away. The relief that the compulsion brings is only temporary, and can be very short-term

Further details on OCD as a medical condition are here (National Institute of Mental Health).

I get a little touchy when OCD is thrown around carelessly, so please forgive me if I come off as cross.

Sir,

My post was meant in jest; poking fun at how much we talk about, write about, and discuss shaving, and how much we invest in hardware and software in pursuit of the "perfect shave."

As a physician I'm fully aware of the actual medical definition and the trouble that OCD causes its sufferers. By no means did I mean to demean or make fun of the disorder, nor did I mean to seriously imply that we are all actually inflicted with OCD. Your points are all well taken.

I'm sorry I upset you. I was going to put the blushing smiley at the end of my post to indicate that I was just poking a little good-natured fun at myself and the others members of the board, who are "obsessed" with shaving (but not actually obsessed in the true OCD sense). Again, my apologies.

 

[noahpictures]

The wife accused me of having OCD. I want to deny it but then I decided not to and bought more razors. Ahhhhh.

So OCD check, having a sense of humor check.

 

[Vlad]

I can't stop going in to my bathroom two dozen times a day to sniff my brush and maybe a soap or two. Most of the time I embrace the compulsion, but sometimes I find it troublesome. Does that count?

 

[Geordon]

Sir,

My post was meant in jest; poking fun at how much we talk about, write about, and discuss shaving, and how much we invest in hardware and software in pursuit of the "perfect shave."

Again, my apologies.

First, let me say that I am grateful for and humbly accept your apologies. Let me assure you that there has been no lasting harm done.

I suppose that I'm particularly touchy because I have been on the defense at school (online university, most interaction is by discussion forum and inherently prone to misinterpretation) and somewhat at work, combined with a rough couple of days, medically speaking. Medication helps, but not always as much as I would like.

Back to the heart of your post, now that I've put my big-boy panties on. I got notice from The Gentleman's Shop in the UK that my package has shipped out. I even saw on the Royal Post tracking site that it's been handed off to the "overseas mail service" for handling. I'm DYING here, not being able to track it like I do with UPS! I've spent weeks (literally) checking my bank statement for the day that I could order some Coates and EJ Sea Buckthorn soap (In the travel container, no less. Cheaper than the wood bowl) from them.

Somewhat jokingly (and partially serious, ironically enough), this experience has given me the fits with OCD

NOw, where the HELL is my package?!?!?!?!

 

[jgkeegan]

A simple way of thinking about OCD is this:
1) There is a thought that frequently enters the mind, or occupies the mind for great periods of time. This is the obsession.
2) There is an activity of some kind, performed in order to keep the obsession at bay. This is the compulsion.

Here's my hypothesis. We're all obsessed with shaving; we come onto this forum, buy razors, blades, brushes, soaps, creams, and aftershaves as compulsive activities.

What do you think? Any merit to my hypothesis?

I think you are right on target.

But no more so than those who golf, say, or ski. We just can't or don't want to stop buying things we don't need.

One of the wonderful things about this forum is that we can exchange not only information, it items if we with with each other and expand our need to try out new things even further.

But people do look at me strangely when I tell them that shaving each morning is my most pleasant daily experience.

 

[HerbalAbuse]

My girlfriend knows I've got OCD, but not how bad it is.

I've got one of the most severe cases of OCD, and honestly it ruins your life and there's nothing you can do about it

If you want me to list some of the things I do (as embarrasing as they are) I may do so just for laughs lol