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The way I've always described OCD, and this is probably particularly relevant to a Hacker News audience, is that it's like two processes running. There's your n

The way I've always described OCD, and this is probably particularly relevant to a Hacker News audience, is that it's like two processes running. There's your normal thought process, and then there's the OCD through process. You completely recognise it as being irrational and ridiculous, yet it often wins and never goes away. It's exhausting.

teekert 8y ago
Hmm, this and the article sound very useful, thanx for sharing.
ashleyn 8y ago
I have OCD as well. Picture opening htop and seeing a process stuck in D state filling up all 8 cores.
- teekert 8y ago
  But at least you are the one picturing the htop, you are not the computer htop runs on. Does that help?
  - arkey 8y ago
    I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but for example an introspective person IS the computer that it pictures, so to say.
    - teekert 8y ago
      Yes, but, it helps to picture oneself in the third person. In this case one pictures oneself as a 100% busy CPU, and that may help. It's a well known trick to picture oneself agonizing over something and becoming aware that you "are not the agonizing" but it is something separate from you. It will make you feel more tranquil.
screye 8y ago
After seeing some of these comments, I sometimes feel I should get myself checked for a mental illness. But the symptoms seem so widespread across people, that it seems to be within range of normal human behavior. I have not been crippled by any of these things (though it is immensely distracting). It's almost like I am looking for an easy explanation for genuine personality defects (which includes being easily distracted and procrastination). Which then again, makes me feel miserable for using mental illness as an excuse for ignoring my imperfections. Yes, I do have to step on whole tiles (no cracks or breaks) when walking. But, I don't notice it when I am with people. I have felt an intense itch in my back when then door handle was left at a non-90 degree angle. But, it only happened a few times in 2015. I do need to tap my feet to high tempo jazz/prog music or talk out loud to focus on work,...but, even without them I have scored above 95 percentile on standardized tests. So, maybe what I am seeking is simply out of reach because I've reached my personal intelligence ceiling. I do have the kind of distracting thoughts (what ifs and hypotheticals) that the top comment was talking about...but they are never so distracting enough to make me act on them. ( I do avoid going too close to ledges though...I've only so much trust in myself) Problem is, I know people who call themselves OCD for less. But, I seeing people with genuine OCD makes my problems seem trivial. I think the bitter pill to swallow, is that I am simply an easily distracted procrastinator with little self-discipline. But, It would be so wonderful if I could sometimes send these thoughts away, for the few hours everyday that I really do want to work and make real progress.

teekert 8y ago

Hmm, this and the article sound very useful, thanx for sharing.

ashleyn 8y ago

I have OCD as well. Picture opening htop and seeing a process stuck in D state filling up all 8 cores.

teekert 8y ago
But at least you are the one picturing the htop, you are not the computer htop runs on. Does that help?
- arkey 8y ago
  I'm not sure I understand what you mean, but for example an introspective person IS the computer that it pictures, so to say.
  - teekert 8y ago
    Yes, but, it helps to picture oneself in the third person. In this case one pictures oneself as a 100% busy CPU, and that may help. It's a well known trick to picture oneself agonizing over something and becoming aware that you "are not the agonizing" but it is something separate from you. It will make you feel more tranquil.

screye 8y ago

After seeing some of these comments, I sometimes feel I should get myself checked for a mental illness. But the symptoms seem so widespread across people, that it seems to be within range of normal human behavior. I have not been crippled by any of these things (though it is immensely distracting). It's almost like I am looking for an easy explanation for genuine personality defects (which includes being easily distracted and procrastination). Which then again, makes me feel miserable for using mental illness as an excuse for ignoring my imperfections. Yes, I do have to step on whole tiles (no cracks or breaks) when walking. But, I don't notice it when I am with people. I have felt an intense itch in my back when then door handle was left at a non-90 degree angle. But, it only happened a few times in 2015. I do need to tap my feet to high tempo jazz/prog music or talk out loud to focus on work,...but, even without them I have scored above 95 percentile on standardized tests. So, maybe what I am seeking is simply out of reach because I've reached my personal intelligence ceiling. I do have the kind of distracting thoughts (what ifs and hypotheticals) that the top comment was talking about...but they are never so distracting enough to make me act on them. ( I do avoid going too close to ledges though...I've only so much trust in myself) Problem is, I know people who call themselves OCD for less. But, I seeing people with genuine OCD makes my problems seem trivial. I think the bitter pill to swallow, is that I am simply an easily distracted procrastinator with little self-discipline. But, It would be so wonderful if I could sometimes send these thoughts away, for the few hours everyday that I really do want to work and make real progress.