OCD, Asperger's, social anxiety, etc.

[lizzieb]

When I was little I didn't talk/make eye contact with others and would obsess quite a bit over things. A concerned adult suggested I might have Asperger's, and though I'm fairly certain that I do not, as I grew out of that kind of social paralysis (though I can be terribly shy and do not have strong communication skills). My sister has recently begun being treated for social anxiety, and I've come across a few adults in the past few years with other burdens or obstacles having to do with their interactions with others/obsessive-compulsiveness/bipolar disorder/autism/dyslexia/what have you.

This might sound odd, but I guess I was wondering if any aquarium-keepers here wanted to share their struggles or triumphs with people like them (that is, their fellow aquarists). Does it happen to have anything to do with your keeping fish? For example, personally, I find this hobby to be a really positive outlet for me. At least THIS obsession results in something constructive and beautiful, right? And taking care of and watching my fish is so satisfying and relaxing -- it's pretty therapeutic. (Sometimes it even gets me out of the house...because I have to go to the LFS.)

But, then again, maybe it's just too private and nobody'd want to even talk about it from behind the anonymity of the internet. I just thought this should be here in case somebody had something important to say, but never found the place. You never know! :)

[KuchDaddy]

I am suprised that nobody has answered yet, I would bet there are a lot of OCD people in this hobby.

I am definitely not OCD (though at least one person in my family is) , but I probably have bordered on having social anxiety disorder during various times of my life. Interestingly, there have also been periods in my life in which I have been very outgoing and gregarious. Seems strange that it would go up and down like that.

I think the existence of the internet has enabled my avoidance of social contact over the past few years, because I can order something online or ask somebody a question by e-mail without actually calling on the phone or meeting in person and having a "real" social interaction.

[ROLLIN]

I made a thread similar to this in General Freshwater a month or so ago. Although my anxiety etc had to do with the aquariums themselves, while yours seems to help it.

[Squawkbert]

Check out this thread (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133862)there's *plenty* of "odd ducks" & OCD type stuff going on around here.