When does a fun interest cross over into an unhealthy obsession?

An interest crosses over into unhealthy obsession when your world shrinks down to the size of that obsession. When the obsession blinds you to your responsibilities and you find yourself rationalizing behavior that you know deep down is wrong, that should be an indication that danger lurks near.

My first and best warning sign is my wife. She knows me better than anyone, and she also is very aware of the things that need to get done. I don't always like it, but I usually have to admit that she is right when I am moving into obsession.

Since my obsessions tend to be computer games, I usually have to delete the program. I also have not bought a new one for years. I have limited myself to playing chess.

The warning signs when you are spending too much time on a certain activity are:

Your house is a total mess.

The laundry resembles a small mountain.

Your husband give you a wink and suggest you do something fun tonight. The two of you spend the evening reading questions and answers in the R&S YA section. :O

On a serious note, you know when a fun interest becomes an

unhealthy obsession when it affects your life. You become upset with what you read. You argue with your spouse over issues.

The best solution I have found is to take a break and limit the time you spend involved with that obsession. Focus on important things you have neglected because of the interest.

(((Vixen)))

I have to agree with KyChick. Because of her, my house is a complete mess. It's ridiculous.

In all seriousness, though, I can relate. Not specifically from this forum, but one I used to frequent. My first and last activities of the day were to check for and answer new messages there, and the bulk of my day was spent interacting with the people there. I would literally see the sunrise and the sunset from the same vantage point -- my office chair. I became so emotionally invested in it, that I replaced true friendships with people I could see and talk to every day with screennames of people who I would never meet. It reached a point where I actually deleted my account, because I was bordering on -- or had crossed into -- obsession.

I think many of us are here because we're seeking something else, or some other form of companionship that "real life" simply is not providing.

My past experience is largely why I am so stand-offish to most people here. It's simply a road that I do not care to go back down again.

Look at whether your interest might be productive, as in making a living from it. You could go into pro sports with an obsession about something like golf; but not with something like crossword puzzles. If you can't transform your hobby into profit, then you have to limit how much time you spend on it. If you cannot moderate it, see a psychotherapist because then it really is an addiction or obsession.

When the activity takes over your life it becomes unhealthy. You HAVE to do it as much as possible and you don't care who or what you blow off to do it. My warning signs are when I start exhausting myself doing just the one thing, I quit worrying about responsibilities and people. I try to spread out my activities. Do different things. Make time for friends and family and make sure all my responsibilities are taken care of before anything else gets done.

This would be my wish for R&S and the rest of the world.

This becomes a very busy time of the year for me anyway and I will be taking a leave as well. Please keep my e-mail and I will do the same with yours so that we may share the good things.

1 Thessalonians 5: The Way He Wants You to Live

12-13And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

13-15Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

Please see themeanings of the two words: --------------------------------------... Noun 1. persistence - the property of a continuous and connected period of time continuity,durability, enduringness, lastingness, strength - permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force; "they advertised the durability of their products" 2. persistence - persistent determination doggedness, perseverance, persistency, pertinacity, tenaciousness, tenacity, determination, purpose - the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose; "his determination showed in his every movement"; "he is a man of purpose" 3. persistence - the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior; "his perseveration continued to the point where it was no longer appropriate" perseverance, perseveration,continuance, continuation - the act of continuing an activity without interruption Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc. --------------------------------------... persistence noun determination, resolution, pluck, stamina, grit, endurance, tenacity, diligence, perseverance, constancy, steadfastness, doggedness, pertinacity, indefatigability, tirelessness --------------------------------------... obsession Main Entry: ob·ses·sion Pronunciation: \äb-ˈse-shən, əb-\ Function: noun Date: 1680 1: a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an often unreasonable idea or feeling ; broadly : compelling motivation <an obsession with profits> 2: something that causes an obsession — ob·ses·sion·al \-ˈsesh-nəl, -ˈse-shə-nəl\ adjective — ob·ses·sion·al·ly adverb --------------------------------------... Hence you insist for some thing of your like, your choice, your compulsion and there is friction and resistence from the other person, this insistance becomes persistence. So this persistence is a long drwan affair. More is the resistence and obstruction, the more is the stubbornness and continuation of the act with determined and obsessive mind, to see the end of the action, it becomes obsession. So it is the Long Duration, and stiff resistance mostly cause this change, and once it crosses the line, it becomes a mad mind.

Unhealthy Obsession..... by the one or two WORD ANSWERS!

My presonal warning sign is when I will NOT Answer my phone while ON LINE!

I limit myself to my 24-Hour DAY.... TIME ACCOUNTING PLAN!

Thanks for Asking ! RR

When it starts to enter into every waking moment of your time. When you feel with-drawls when you cannot get your fix. Or when it becomes to focal point of your day it is time to step back and reevaluate.(For Yahoo R&S this was probably 22 months ago. Just kidding.)

i think the best rule of thumb is: If it causes problems, it's a problem.