I always get teased by friends about how many pictures I take, but I've never seen it as a problem until recently. I've asked about it on here before but got mixed answers about whether I had OCD or not. Then I was exposed to a new view just yesterday by a friend who said jokingly, "You know, you could be one of those crazy hoarders. But you hoard pictures instead of trash." Do you think that is a possible explanation for my obsessive picture-taking?
Answers (2)
I know someone that was not diagnosed with OCD that does like to take a picture of puddles and stuff that so many people would find boring, even if some people may not like it. That person gets easily addicted to stuff. As long as it doesn't lead to interference from having a good time which mine does. It's true that stuff will not be there forever to take a picture of but there's always stuff to take a picture of. It doesn't cost anything for most cameras. Beware of it becoming a habit or ritual and be positive. It doesn't sound horrible compared to mine but OCD can take over like it did for me. Don't let it do that.
I'll try not to let it get worse. It does makes me feel a bit better after taking a picture, that "relief" after performing a compulsion and all that. Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!
Don't let it but also don't worry or panic if it does no good. People often don't know how valuable their sense of good life is for as long as it remains an opportunity. Choose it, depression can be overcome although difficult to do, being bipolar is a challenge too but atleast it doesn't mean it will be that bad forever. The worst type of OCD is a chronic one that never can be lessened much. Hobbies are good but expecially helping people or animals to sustain a feeling of purpose to be alive. Without that I'd be dead, but don't worry because I have that sense. Don't look for trouble and it won't take over your life:).
Thanks for answering. But it has not always been a hobby for me, and I take pictures of things like a snow cone place, the dog groomers, a candy wrapper, an empty shampoo bottle, because I know they will be gone someday, so I want to have a record of them or something. I do actually have OCD, but different symptoms from this. I guess I should have asked if this is also a part of it (the anxiety if I miss a picture, not wanting to forget, etc)