My Problem

x_BLUE_MOON_x — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 23:06:12 GMT

Hi, I'm a 30 year old female, and I have this problem where I am obsessed about my collectables (video games) (figurines) (memorabilia) for about 7 years now. I worry about the cosmetic condition of them, how clean they are, and if there just right/perfect? And it's been taking over my life and has become very mentally unhealthy for me.

This all first started 7 years ago, when I got a thought in my head that my collectables were contaminated/dirty. I had a mental breakdown, it really hurt me. And ended up in psychiatric hospital twice.

I have been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, Specific Language Impairment, Depression and Anxiety. I don't have a offical diagnosis of OCD because, my psychiatrist (which was also 7 years ago) said it could be ocd but he wasn't sure. So not a proper diagnosis??

I'm currently on anti-depressants.

When I'm happier in my life, my obsession with my collectables become less and less powerful.
I have tried a lot of things, getting out of my head, going out and having a social life, exposure therapy, mindfullness, positive self talk, and it worked for a while then it would stop working. And the thoughts and obsessions about my collectables would come back again and again.

In addition to my obsession with my collectables I have as well some common OCD symptoms. As for the common OCD symptoms, they don't really worry me and I'm able to let them go.
The only time I have ever had really bad common OCD symptoms was when I was a teenager. And I was doing a mental rountine in my head everyday, doing things in three's, making things symmetrical, fear of certain numbers and colours. But over time most of my OCD symptoms disappeared. I don't think most OCD symptoms just magically disappear, especially during that time I didn't take medication, didn't do therapy and didn't do mindfullness. So I find that very odd and confusing.

But I do know, that when this obsession started with my collectables, I had no life, I was not happy, had no friends, no social life, trouble making friends, I was isolating myself in my bedroom and my collectables were the only thing that gave me joy.

Also, I think there's a few causes to this obsession? Mother and sister issues, being lonely, trouble making friends, previous common OCD symptoms, my self esteem, my recent diagnosis of Autism, what I went through in my past, and other things.

At the moment I'm currently seeing a psychologist for OCD.

Is this ADHD, Autism, OCD or something else?

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you 🙂

Re: My Problem

Croix — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 12:56:29 GMT

Dear X_BLUE_MOON_X~

Welcome back. You have a lot of issues to try to cope with in your life, and have talked about them before.

i guess this is one way of handling things.

I've no idea waht label you sould give your collecting habit, maybe OCD, maybe something else.

What you seem to be saying is when you life takes a turn for the worse collecting becomes more imortant. And as you say it seems to take over and become an occupation, between acquisition and cleanliness.

You mentioned the amount of money you have spent on this, which you can't afford, and also that once you have made a purchase you may not even play the game but start to want something else.

I too am a corrector, but do so for quite different reasons. I collect old TV shows and movies on tape or DVD. There is no desire to just buy 'something' for a start. My motivation is the fact I will want to view the purchase again in the future, probably more than once. If I rely upon streaming they won't be there in the future so this is the only way to assure my viewing

Additionally I'm not concerned about condition, most are second hand and if it plays them I'm happy. It is the re-viewing that gives me pleasure, not the purchase.

It does not sound like you get pleasure from playing the games, and are a perfectionist where condition is concerned.

I don;'t know of any answer other than a more skilled and specialized clinician, one who can do more things, firstly make your life more pleasant, and secondly help you reduce your collecting desire.

Maybe (and this is just a guess) if you were to play some of those games until you enjoyed them -particularly if they were multi-player, that you might not be so concerned with getting more.

Trying to find the right clinician is not easy, there are far too few, however if you keep trying -remembering you are in charge and can judge how much help you are receiving - then maybe you will find one.

Croix

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My Problem

Re: My Problem