Any psychologists in the house? Need help determining if I'm insane!

[Lovecrafty]

Seriously. Since I was a child I have this compulsion that has both annoyed and amused me. Maybe you can help. Sometimes when I'm driving down the road I will unconsciously hold my breath while looking out the window at the passing landscape looking for some random object. The object might be anything with the color red in it, or the letter F, or the number 4. I will try to hold my breath until spotting said object out the window. I tell myself that if I can hold my breath until spotting the object then something good will happen in the future, like finding money or getting laid! So the pressure is on! I MUST not take a breath until I find that object! I'll frantically look at license plates, billboards, mailboxes, you name it! Sometimes the pain will become unbearable and I HAVE to breath, at which point I tell myself I "lost" and something bad will happen now!!!

So am I insane? What does this mean? I've always done this as far as I can remember. Am I the only one? Does anyone else have this strange compulsion? If so, I sure would like to know!

[shraby]

1. It sounds like a form of

obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are medicines available..see your doctor and tell him/her about it.

[Lovecrafty]

3. Thanks! I kinda thought that might me what it is...

But it spooks me out and I have NEVER told anyone about it until now! I guess the impersonal detachment of an online forum allows me the comfort to actually talk about it. What kind of medicines would treat such a disorder? I'm curious and would like to research their side-effects and effectiveness.

[Paradise]

9. that's it! n/t

[childslibrarian]

2. I agree OCD

antidepressants help, also cognitive therapy. Not rare, not something you need to ignore...

[Lovecrafty]

4. Well I'm not depressed...at least I don't think!

I'm actually pretty content! It's just this one quirk that really messes with me sometimes. It's embarrassing to be riding in a car with someone and suddenly get asked if I'm ok because my face is turning red!

[salvorhardin]

5. Potentially

insensitive comment removed. Damn, I'm stupid sometimes. Listen to mexicoxpat below. :-)

[murray hill farm]

6. psychologist, dr. pat here!

It is more like a form of childhood magical thinking...but the way you describe it, i cannot think of any reason at all that you should be concerned at all about it. In a way it is just a game you play with yourself...you do recognize it as such..and it is only a problem if it is a problem with you..otherwise, it even sounds kind of fun..enjoy it...just always continue to breath when it comes right down to it..ha!!! I think things like this are what make people unique and special and fun...as long as it is not a big problem for you...dont worry one bit about if it is normal to do. I think it is cute and very creative and makes you an interesting person.

[Lovecrafty]

7. Thanks doc!! At least I know I'm not FREAKING NUTS!!

[shraby]

8. On the other hand, if it bothers you

do something about it..see a doctor. One can pass out by holding their breath too long and if you're driving that could be disasterous.

[murray hill farm]

11. one more thing..

Please don't take drugs for this..u do not need drugs..just accept that there is nothing...nothing odd about this game that you play with yourself. It is just an interesting part of who you are..a part of the make up of who you are...i hate it when people want to drug out these really interesting parts of a personality of a person...one of the signs of an emotionally healthy person is an ability to "self comfort"...and this game u play is just that..it makes u feel good when you succeed...or win the game. No meds..OK?

[Lovecrafty]

13. Gotcha! No meds.

[Pithlet]

14. I didn't think

That doctors were supposed to give such concrete advice over the internet, particularly on a message board based on one post. It may be that he doesn't need meds, but I think a doctor seeing him in person, if he chooses to go to one, would be better able to make the proper diagnosis and, if necessary, therapy.

I'm just iffy about the whole idea of using an internet message board for medical advice to begin with. I know that we like to talk about and get opinions, but I don't think anyone should substitute that for real medical advice.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

10. insanity

Insanity is a legal concept, not a medical one.

A psychiatrist could diagnose you as suffering from some sort of disorder. It takes a jury ( or a judge in the case of a non-jury trial) to find you not guilty by reason of insanity, or a judge to determine you too mentally impaired to stand trial in the first place.

[sangh0]

12. I noticed something odd

You don't mention if this "problem" causes any actual problems for you. If you were passing out while driving, or if this were making you unhappy in some other way, I'd say you definitely should seek some assistance, but if it's not causing you any trouble other than a vague sense that's there's something wrong you, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[TrogL]

15. Congratulations. You are obsessive/compulsive

Join the crowd.

[tigereye]

16. sounds like you should talk to someone about this

if it concerns you, to determine what it is, and what options you may have.