OCD and MTS

[67chevelle]

I think people who truly have OCD can and do have real issues with the problems it does cause in day to day life.
I also think like SubRosa said,the term has been coined and is used very loosely used in today's society.

With me,I have no idea if I have OCD or not.My wife thinks I do,I just say I like things neat and clean and in the right place.
I know when I started keeping fish,it started with a 30 gallon and 10 gallon that I had in high school.I set them back up after having them in storage for 15 years or so.I then found all the web sites and forums dedicated to fish that were not around when I first started in the late 80's.I then began to want to keep more and different types of fish.It turned from the 2 I had had since high school,into 11 right now.I have recently taken down all but 5,because I would spend all day at work worrying about if I was going to have enough time to get them all cleaned,and how I know I couldn't relax if I didn't.Having only 5 set up right now has made my life much easier.It has also made me realize I do not want any tanks smaller than 55 gallons.Maintaining larger tanks just seems easier to me.

I also have some larger tanks that have never held water,and probably won't for a few more months.I bought these,justifying it to myself that when we get a bigger place to live,I will have the room for them,which we will,but storing them in the meantime seems kind of silly.Plus spending thousands on stuff that is literally collecting dust right now.They were impulse buys.They are the only thing I buy on impulse that costs as much as they do.

I'm not saying everyone who keeps more than 1 tank has OCD.But I do think it is funny that the term MTS,has been made up in a hobby where people can do compulsive things.But then,that can be said for any hobby too.

 

[petluvr]

OCD is closely linked to Compulsive Personality Disorder and is described by the American Psychological Society as, "A personality disorder involving a long-standing disruptive pattern manifested in such behavior as difficulty in expressing warm emotions, stilted attitudes, stinginess, perfectionism, preoccupation with details and schedules, emphasis on work to the exclusion of pleasure, and avoidance or porstponement of decisions for fear of making a mistake"
OCD is defined as, "An anxiety disorder charachterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both that are time consuming (more than one hour per day), cause significant distress, or interfere with the individual's functioning. The obsessions and are recognized as excessive or unreasonable."
So yes OCD ONLY negatively affects your life .

 

[Death Pony]

It's only OCD if the tanks are organized by size, brand, color schemes, and number of inhabitants. You get my drift.

 

[jpappy789]

I would say the fact that the "D" stands for disorder means it pretty much is defined as having a negative impact

 

[blue2fyre]

I don't think there is much connection with MTS and OCD. I think there would be more of a problem if people had addiction or hoarding problems.

 

[excuzzzeme]

We use the terms OCD and MTS in a light, joking manner without intent of slighting or abusing anyone that may suffer from OCD. This is not to make less of their affliction or to demean the person in any fashion.

If as a person with OCD you feel you are being ostracized, feel free to call us out and ask us to stop. In no way was there ever any intent to insult anyone that is disabled.

 

[jpappy789]

I don't think there is much connection with MTS and OCD. I think there would be more of a problem if people had addiction or hoarding problems.

I agree, I don't see anything wrong with setting up more tanks as part of the hobby unless it somehow interferes with your ability to function on a daily basis. There's a difference between being meticulous and obsessive compulsive.

We use the terms OCD and MTS in a light, joking manner without intent of slighting or abusing anyone that may suffer from OCD. This is not to make less of their affliction or to demean the person in any fashion.

If as a person with OCD you feel you are being ostracized, feel free to call us out and ask us to stop. In no way was there ever any intent to insult anyone that is disabled.

Agreed. I can see how this may be a touchy subject and I definitely do not take this disorder lightly.

 

[lindsey crashed]

i don't think they are related.. keeping many fish tanks isn't necessary a ritual or obsession, unless you have to have them because there is fear or anxiety involved with not having them.
i'm also one of those who have to have things clean and in place before i can relax.. i have 5 cats and wood floors, so i have to sweep the litter and hair off the floor every day when i come home before my mind can settle. and there can't be any dishes in the sink, clothes on the floor, bed or randomly placed in the closet.. keys on the key ring, etc. everyone calls it OCD.. but it doesn't negatively affect my life. its what settles my mind and helps me relax. these are good things.
i have a room full of reptiles.. and i have had an apartment full in the past, literally, an apartment full of herps.my ex and i lived in the apartment next door. when our relationship ended, most of them had to go to new homes. it sucked, but there was no anxiety or fear involved. it was and still is just a hobby i'm pretty serious about. no OCD about it.