The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent
vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums
here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules
document is now in effect.
[NEUROSES] Your OCD, phobias or irrational actions. Read rules in OP before posting!
Posts
I do that. I just finished chips and hummus month.
I abhor tissue paper, especially if it's all screwed up and not folded. Really hate it how people can leave a snotty tissue anywhere except for the bin/toilet. When I see people pull one out of their sleeve/pocket/bag or where ever, it completely freaks me out. What is wrong with you damn tissue using people??
It's insanely ocd but I'll go to the bathroom and blow my nose. I don't expect others to do the same because I know it's crazy yet it seems some people just parade that tissue everywhere!
EDIT: Oh yeah, social anxiety is quite a big one for me and as someone else mentioned is touching or being touched by strangers or sometimes friends/family if it is uninvited. My friends understand that it bothers me, which is cool but I still have to not show it sometimes. Some people are just far too comfortable invading other's personal space.
Oh just read people posting about the mutual embarrassment watching tv thing. I used to think this was a natural reaction but apparently not as I know people who can watch that shit all day long.
I want to know more PA people on Twitter.
During check ups and such, if that hook/poker whatever touches/picks at my teeth, dear god, it's absoulte torture for me. Not in terms of pain, it doesn't hurt at all, but, gah, someone is jamming a hooked claw into, (how I see/feel it) my skull
Obviously due to this my dental hygene has suffered since I'll avoid the place and only go in when i really, really need to. I've been on the waiting list for around/over 4 months now to have an abcess treated and a tooth removed at the hospital since I can be asleep during the procedure (they phased out putting people under at a dentists in the UK, you need to go to a hopsital for that now). It's the fact that I've been putting up with a lot of constant pain and sickness that lasts for days, coming and going for months rather than have a 5/10 min procedure.
When it comes to fillings it's kind of hit and miss. I've never had a panic attack but I'm always incredibly tense. Funny though, I have absolutley no problems at all with someone jabbing my gum (or arms for that matter) with a large needle to numb the pain. Needles used to bother me like they do most people, but at one point I just started thinking of them as someone pinching my arm hard, and since I had a lot of that due to having an older sibling it put me way more at ease. Now if I need a blood test or some kind of needle, I just look away and think that someone is just pinching me really hard.
Yes, I understand I sound like a total and utter wuss and I probably am, but even when I rationalise things, even check up on the exact procedures for any work I need doing and genuinley feel better about it, when it comes to having to sit down in that chair and those tools come out a huge rush of anxiety just washes over me.
And also, jellyfish. Fuck those fucking fuck fuckers god damn I hate those fucking things so damn much. I don't think I can think of anything more disgusting/horrifying as being smothered by one of those fucking god damn fucking fuckers. Sorry, sorry, writing that was just so damn hard for me, the fucks numb the mental anguish :P
I have a very, very poor idea of what I actually look like.
You're like the anti-Pony
Find somebody who really gets you, and you'll see yourself through their eyes, maybe for the first time.
Not that finding someone like that will be easy, might take most of your life.
All in all, people are never who you need them to be.
Battletag: Kain#1658
This probably happens most frequently when Dennis is saying something awful in Always Sunny.
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970666737/
Battletag: Kain#1658
Also, I have a mild phobia of bees. It's gotten better as I've gotten older, but when I was younger, if I saw a bee I properly freaked the fuck out. Now if I see one, I make a note of it and actively avoid it, because they still put me on edge.
One other "quirk" that I just thought of; going number two in a public restroom with other people in it. If it's a crowded restroom, then there's nothing doing and you gotta do what you gotta do, but if I'm alone in a restroom and someone walks in, then I have to stop pooping until that person leaves.
Neato. I just have the classic "don't step on cracks" thing. Only when I'm walking alone really. With someone else, I'm fine. It makes me look weird though as I have to cut steps short because I don't think that I can make it over the crack, or I have to turn my foot so that it doesn't fall across the crack.
"We believe in the people and their 'wisdom' as if there was some special secret entrance to knowledge that barred to anyone who had ever learned anything." - Friedrich Nietzsche
I don't actually keep a list, but... I'm terrified of annoying other people. To the point where I annoy them by asking "Am I annoying you?"
And I worry that I annoy them by IMing them so if I've done it too much I tend to stop. It's not a good thing for me.
I do this sometimes.
Even to people I talk to every day. But yeah sometimes I need them to message me first to feel comfortable.
Other situations where sudden death occurring in the midst of everyday conversation or interaction with people is a slight possibility makes me think like that sometimes too.
It's weird, the self that is in my head, that is typing these words, my theoretical self, is terrified of death. But when I stop thinking, look around myself right now, and really realize 'I am here', it seems very natural that it cannot last. I would very much like to experience my death consciously though, which is kind of irrational since the moment I am dead it won't matter any more.
_________
My social neurosis is like a thick layer of separation that's been built by a lack of something or other. I've had enough moments of connection in my life to know that others are seeking the same kinds of thing as me and that the barrier is mostly within myself, but I can't help but perceive myself as very disconnected from humanity. I think part of the problem is that I twist my neurosis into a kind of strength, like I can exist on my own just seeing the universe and interpreting and that that would be enough. This twisting works well enough to make efforts and get things done but ultimately it is an unsatisfying denial of why I'm really doing what I'm doing. As an artist it seems like the point is to put all my energy into making something that is not myself that others then see, something that has a life of its own, but if I do this my own life is neglected and the process of making things becomes a process in spite of the rest of humanity rather than an expression. Or it becomes a posthumous endeavor, like 'when these people see my work when I'm dead they'll know!'
What sucks is that the reasoning is kind of true. The work of dead artists keeps speaking, but god damn does having that as your goal lead to a wretched life. But it's the only thing I'm good at, so it's not like I'm going to stop. Somehow I have to find out how to weave in a rewarding life while I'm still actually here. The man is very different from his art, and people seem to care about my art more than me. I can't really blame them, I do the same fairly often. When I do, I feel like I'm living a pretty rich life. And I am, but it's like... half a life. Very self-perpetuating.
My primary neurosis is that I cannot establish conversation if I don't actually have anything to talk about. I'm incapable of small talk and I hate it when people try to make it with me. You don't actually care about my opinion of the weather today. I am trying to get better at this, but still I have a hard time just making conversation unless I need something of someone else.
My Little Game Blog - http://profundospielen.blogspot.com/
Oh, I don't actually keep a list either. I just... remember. It's a subconscious thing that I wish I could stop, but it just happens.
This is going a bit off topic but I always have this tendency to just remember weird things, particularly about my friends. For instance I can usually remember all my friends' class schedules a few weeks into a term. I've learned to be careful about revealing this kind of knowledge, lest I come off as a weird creepy stalker.
You must absolutely hate the English, where our idea of a good conversation includes at least one reference to the weather.
That is a good thing I think, that you sense it on your own. Its actually a sign of a well spoken/writen person to hate using the same word twice in a very short period.
Depends on the visibility of the word, though. If it's something like 'said' or a similarly invisible word, then trying to change it for something else will have the opposite effect.
Was reminded of a hardcore neurosis today.
I constantly listen to music and have a very good ear and memory for it...and anything that creates dissonance with my memory drives me completely nuts. People singing along sends me into an almost uncontrollable rage for no real reason. Seriously, red-faced and grinding my teeth rage.
Also, Red Hot Chili Peppers has the same effect without any help. I have no idea why.
On the flip side, my mood will deteriorate if I go too long without hearing some upbeat music.
If I'm counting things, I have to count in threes. I can't do the 'two, four, six, eight' most people do. I have to count 'three, six, nine, twelve'.
If I'm a passenger in a car, I have to lift my feet when we pass a lampost, another car, whatever I designate as an obstacle at the time. As a kid, I used to imagine that they shot laserbeams out their sides, and I had to dodge them. This is more of a way of making car trips less boring when I was a kid that developed into a habit. I tend to do it only if I have nothing else to do these days, and if I can't do it for some reason, I don't mind.
I avoid cracks in the pavement if I'm paying attention, but most of the time I have my attention on other things.
If I can't do any of the above, though, it doesn't bother me. I think they're more 'things to do to keep my mind occupied', rather than 'oh god oh god, must do this or the world will end'.
3DS FCode: 1993-7512-8991
I've got problems with small talk too. I'm generally a very open and honest person when it comes to personal things, so I don't mind jumping right into subjects that most people would prefer to avoid until they know me better. If I'm in a situation in which it isn't socially acceptable to have a long, intense conversation (large group, workplace, bumping into someone in passing, etc.) than I'd rather just not talk at all. People at my job probably think I'm completely antisocial.
Come to think of it, I also have a sort of all-or-nothing approach to doing any kind of work. I like the feeling I get when my brain is running at 100% focus (which is why I love games so much), and I'm such a heavy daydreamer that if I give anything LESS than 100% attention to what I'm doing, I'll hardly get anything done. I don't know how common this is for people, but I hear it has a lot to do with what your occupation is. I worked as a busboy at Kings for my first job, and on top of cleaning tables we were also used for janitorial work or anything else that needed to be done. I ended up running around on autopilot checking all the usual stuff while watching the customers and gauging how soon their tables would be available for cleaning. Any interruption threw me completely off, and it took me a while to change mindsets. Like, I would be completely unable to speak to or comprehend someone for about 3-4 seconds after I've been snapped out of my work mode. This doesn't help my relations with coworkers.
I do the same with games, and it really bothers me when people play "casually." As in, if I'm playing with friends and they're not fighting me (or fighting the game, if it's coop) with everything they have, I can't help thinking that they're not enjoying themselves or are only playing with me to humor me. I even do this with stuff like Mario Party.
I've got a desk job now, so it's been weird trying to adjust to that mindset.
EDIT: I, too, have various visual games that I play while riding in a car. I like to play with the airstream when the window is down, and I'll often dip my hand sharply to avoid signs, mailboxes, or anything else I decide to designate as an obsticle. I generally cover this up by pretending that I'm just moving my hand along with whatever music is playing, which makes the game a bit harder since it restricts my dodging to the beat of the music.
I also have a "runner", meaning that I imagine a small creature running alongside the car and jumping over things in its path. I don't have a specific one, but the most common are Sonic, Megaman X, a ninja, or a gargoyle (similar to Firebrand or the ones from the Disney show). This started as something to do on the bus while I was in school, but I've actually found it to be a useful mental exercise, as I want to make my own games some day and I'm primarily interested in platformers. I thought this was just something I did, but after reading another thread similar to this it seems to be very popular.
To the point that I often make visual checks of corners and ceilings anywhere I go, and also have to check the floor of my bedroom for spiders before I can sleep, even then I can`t sleep without blankets covering my head. It`s not really irrational though, the precautions that is - I once went to sleep with blankets down to my stomach and woke up to the feeling of a spider scurrying across my chest, nearly had a heart a attack.
the point of that guideline is to force some elaboration and not make a poll thread, not to forbid spider discussion
I can't handle vomit either. I can't handle the sensation of vomiting myself, I can't handle seeing it, I can't handle hearing it. It makes me feel out of control and anxious. I can't watch documentaries about eating disorders for that reason, and that one episode of The Office where Pam had morning sickness that set off a chain of vomit throughout the whole office was unreasonably upsetting to me.
I'm so glad that someone else is afraid of losing limbs and other such things at high speeds in cars.
"We believe in the people and their 'wisdom' as if there was some special secret entrance to knowledge that barred to anyone who had ever learned anything." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Claustrophobia - The idea of being trapped in a small space terrifies me. I'm ok with elevators, as long as it's not a particularly long or crowded ride. If it is? I start to get antsy.
Fear of Crowds - Large gatherings of people, like street festivals, or amusement parks, or crowded malls or a sporting event? Terrifying. I constantly worry that a panic will set in, and I'll be trampled to death.
Fear of Open Water - Count me in among those who can't stand water we can't see to the bottom of. That scene in Castaway where Tom Hanks is on the raft in the open ocean and a whale comes by, and that's supposed to be a good thing? Scares the fuck out of me.
Clowns/Mimes/People with Masks - Freaks me out every time.
I'm also really weird about doors. I always have to have my bedroom door locked when I sleep. Even if I live alone in a very secure building. Something about that extra level of security is just important to me. Right now I don't even have a door on my bedroom, and I've installed a drape. It's a completely cosmetic barrier, and yet for some reason it helps me sleep.
I lose my keys/wallet/phone all the time. So anyone who hangs out with me will often find me randomly patting myself to ensure that I still have everything on me, even if I just checked like, five minutes ago.
I'm sure there's more.
Like video games, or crocheting, or learning to program, etc. If I can't figure it out at first go, then I'm seriously a failure and I had better not try it again. Especially not with anybody else watching, because they will laugh at me and my failure. And everybody will know truly just how dumb I am.
It might not sound bad, but it's really quite... distracting. I don't play many games because of it, and I don't do some things that I want to do because of it. Like learning to program.
Or I tried to play WoW, but the thought of entering into a game when so many people have already achieved greatness and here I am lowest of the low? that's just... disturbing to me. disturbing and discouraging to the point where I get so frustrated that I give up. It's just the way that I am.
Democrats Abroad! || Vote From Abroad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBsRl3bYWeg
i'm watching that right now and i'm cringing- "fuck, you sound fresh off the boat!". i feel like an old israeli woman with a thick slur, and it's a source of incredible anxiety. but i know that isn't so! most days i can watch this video and go 'man, that's a weird hangup- you sound totally assimilated...- but right now my neurosis is getting the worst of me.
not looking for anyone to reassure me that i speak red white and blue or anything; i'm only attempting to point out that sometimes stuff that doesn't make sense can get under our skin
Also, you reminded me of another phobia.
Guns.
I can't even look at that video that you posted without feeling all sorts of squickie inside. and the thought of touching a gun, let alone firing it.. I can't even type that without shivering.
Democrats Abroad! || Vote From Abroad
sorry
It was funny, I went to try and read the Guns thread the other night since I was bored and wanted to try something new and learn something, and just couldn't even get past the OP.
You can have your guns, I do not begrudge you that (although if you had a grenade launcher for 'hunting' i think i might question that, but that's another topic....).
But just don't ever ask me to come shooting with you.
Unless you find your Israeli Accent.
Then I might consider it.
Democrats Abroad! || Vote From Abroad
Let's never hang out and listen to music, because I find it very difficult to listen to a song I know without singing along. It's why I rarely listen to music in public. I have an MP3 player, but it has TV shows on it that I listen to on the bus. Listening to music, I will just unconsciously sing along.
In fact, I was recently at a wedding and took a video of a friend dancing and it wasn't until I watched the recording that I realized I had been singing along to the entire song.