INTPs and OCPD/mental disorder

[nervous-walking]

I was reading this essay and found a particular idea very relevant, honing in on something I've been thinking about for months now:

...the greatest fears of an INTP are usually ideas generated within his own mind. The problem is that the Ti-Ne axis is capable of conceiving very unpleasant ideas, which may be far from reality and even irrational. Ideas and possibilities assume so much importance in the mind of an INTP that they can override a common sense factual grasp on reality. Since the emotional response to an unpleasant idea is based on an underdeveloped function, it may also fail to bring a return to common sense. The net result is the fear that ideas alone may lead to self-destruction.

For the past 20 months or so I've been dealing with some mental anguish that's centering around a self-deprecating idea - in essence, that people willfully tolerate me, and upon realising that despite my insight I'm utterly naive, pity me (not to say they dislike me, although some might be annoyed by the knowing yet child-like take to life). It's complicated, but the point is this idea takes up a great deal of my time in social settings, and makes me incredibly anxious and avoidant.

I'm convinced that the weight of regard I place on my own thoughts and a general tendency to obsess over thoughts in the moment (focus very intently on an idea when I have it bouncing around) is what lead me to developing this disorder. Effectively, I believe I've psyched myself into a thought pattern that's remained strong since the time it began - though more understood now.

My question is: has anyone else seen unusually irrational Obsessive Compulsive traits in themselves, and how did you address or manage these stubborn ideas that refuse to leave consciousness?

 

[ZenRaiden]

My question is: has anyone else seen unusually irrational Obsessive Compulsive traits in themselves, and how did you address or manage these stubborn ideas that refuse to leave consciousness?

Yes. The problem is probably that the underlining emotion is not consistent with the image. In other words, the thoughts are not consistent with themselves as much as they are not consistent with reality.

So perhaps you feel anger and that triggers a reaction about something you got angry long time ago or something you associated anger with before and you get to the point where you are angry and not really knowing why you think irrationally.

It is sort of like hyper associativness. I also wonder if this could be caused if some people have a psychotic kind of mind. The fun part is that I know the thoughts are wrong and not consistent. So how do I know. I just know.
Some part of the brian seems to be contradicting these inconsistencies and the mind is trying to get rid of them. Ofcourse nature of the problem is the more you try to force the thoughts out the more you think about them. It is like thought that sticks all the more you try to think about something else.

 

[B.C.P.]

Hmm. So this is embarrassing but for a while I suffered from erectile dysfunction (at the age of 20!) because I felt that I couldn't match or exceed my then-girlfriend's sexual experiences. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and the very idea that I may never be able to perform as well as her numerous predecessors intimidated me terribly.

It took me a long time to clear my head but I eventually overcame the problem by comparing this irrational idea to the reason that my relationship with her failed. The reason wasn't sexual at all; in fact, I never heard anything but positive remarks regarding my sexual ability. My neurosis had been too blind to see through this.

I came to the conclusion it was all in my head and since then I haven't had a problem with my wing-dang-dong.

Henry Ford said it nicely, "whether you think you can, or think you can't, you're right."

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

I also like what the INTP experience has to say about this phenomena:
http://intpexperience.com/Overload.php

^^all of the articles are relevant to this topic to be sure

mental obsessive compulsive disorder?

interesting because normally when OCD is thought of its generally in the Extroverted/ Sensing way, like washing hands compulsively that sort of thing.

But what about the "OCD that is purely mental" and therefore unseen?

INTPs for sure are vulnerable to this. In thermodynamic terms: a futile cycle.

 

[pjoa09]

I can relate to being obsessive generally at the point that it is psychologically or emotionally damaging.

I also have this thing with cleaning where I just constantly see dust and dirt and I exhaust myself. Then just leave it and live in filth.

But I still empty my trash every two days.

 

[DrGregoryHouse]

I can relate to being obsessive generally at the point that it is psychologically or emotionally damaging.

I also have this thing with cleaning where I just constantly see dust and dirt and I exhaust myself. Then just leave it and live in filth.

But I still empty my trash every two days.

me to a T

need to hire a housekeeper

 

[Lot]

Racing obsessive thoughts. That has been my life for the last 3 years. The feeling of being inadequate. I'm still not quite over it, but it gets better.

I needed to see my intrinsic value. Even though what I offer isn't practical or always desired, it made me and my friends happy. But being who I am and accepting that has been the medicine. Stepping away from thoughts is needed (obviously). When at the height of these thoughts you need something to distract you till you are in a better mental state to deal with them. (Don't turn to porn, though. That's a distraction that will probably make the thoughts worse.)

Have you watched any Tony Robbin's videos? I found him to be a great help. I know, motivational speakers, Really? Check him out on youtube.

Spoiler

http://youtu.be/bgoTqd88-pM

 

[nervous-walking]

That was pretty good Lot, thanks! I particularly liked

..focus is controlled by questions. If you ask a different question continuously you will get a different answer. If you ask a lousy question, you get a lousy answer and a lousy state. Somebody said "Why does this always happen to me?!" It doesn't always happen to you, but the brain is like a computer: ask it a question and it'll have to come up with an answer, 'cause you deserve it you idiot.

It's not the idea itself that's the problem, but the questions it's answering: what is everyone around me thinking?; am I the cause of discomfort in other people? does that discomfort even exist or am I imagining it to fulfill my own perception of a situation? Problem is, while talking with just one other person I like to ask these questions in my mind. I like to be able to know what another person is thinking and feeling and whether or not they're comfortable. Though when there's too many people around and I'm not able to get a proper sense of each individual (unless I know the people well and can read how they're feeling easily), I can only base my understanding of people off the perceived implications of body language, which I tend to construe as negative. All very circular. Can anyone relate to this?

Stepping away from thoughts is needed (obviously). When at the height of these thoughts you need something to distract you till you are in a better mental state to deal with them. (Don't turn to porn, though. That's a distraction that will probably make the thoughts worse.)

I try to keep some source of music with me as much as possible, it usually has a pretty calming effect. Also, drawing - just doodling or whatever - helps. Sometimes, though, I have no out, when I'm obliged to take a more active role in the situation and/or I don't want other people to know how angst-ridden I am.

I also have this thing with cleaning where I just constantly see dust and dirt and I exhaust myself. Then just leave it and live in filth.

But I still empty my trash every two days.

Interesting. I'm very messy - not to an unhygienic extent - and will only tidy up when I know other people will be in my area. The mess isn't mess to me. Just piles of stuff I don't purposefully put away because 1) if it's there I've obviously been using it for something and could need it again soon and 2) it doesn't bother me anyway.

I also like what the INTP experience has to say about this phenomena:
http://intpexperience.com/Overload.php

^^all of the articles are relevant to this topic to be sure

The general principles behind most of the advice in the essays is definitely relevant. Overload for sure. Also, the marksman analogy... In abnormal thinking, perhaps, sometimes it's not that the target (desired outcome of a thought process) is distorted/moving/etc., but it's the entirely wrong target. Aim should be directed towards targets that are actually worthwhile to hit!

Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[pjoa09]

Interesting. I'm very messy - not to an unhygienic extent - and will only tidy up when I know other people will be in my area. The mess isn't mess to me. Just piles of stuff I don't purposefully put away because 1) if it's there I've obviously been using it for something and could need it again soon and 2) it doesn't bother me anyway.

I do keep my place 'messy' but that is a way to make sure that everything is there when I need them.

But little pieces of hair,skin, dirt, and dust can really get to me. When I walk around my room barefooted it get's picked up on the bottom of my foot. Then I try to brush it off only to make a big disgusting mess at one spot. Which then makes me realize that my room isn't exactly clean so I end up getting a broom. But a broom just doesn't seem to cut it so I am planning to buying a vacuum cleaner.

I never do my bed or put my quilt away either.

 

[Raiden]

OCPD is entirely different from OCD, in specific, OCPD stems around knowing as much one can about others as a form of self-control or so they can control others, then inadvertently use all of that information to keep people at bay. OCD is more about obsessions that lead to a wave of intrusive thoughts one can't quite shake, which leads to more intrusive thoughts and anxiety.

I have been wondering the other day actually, if some of the ENTP who get too obsessed with MBTI philosophy and enneagram to the point they can never switch off, have possibly some sort of genetic genetic predisposition to OCPD - I have known an ENTP who has said he thought he had an OCPD, more or less he wanted to know everything and be right, as a defense mechanism to push other people away from challenging his correctness. I suppose this could ring true for INTP as well.

 

[crippli]

I have this too. But I asked a friend of mine today. That I think is really smart, what was the problem with me. He said that he thought it would be too complicated for psychologists to be able to work out, as they thought in too far a linear fashion.

 

[NormannTheDoorman]

Doesn't sound like OCPD to me.


OCPD is obsessions with organizing. People with OCPD don't clean out of anxiety.


OCD is delusional fear, followed by a ritual of some sort.


My obsessive thoughts are usually about stagnation and not going anywhere.

But when it does come to organizing I have the tendency to start thinking of how organized can I get?

Subject
-Completion date
- Average amount of words
- Grade I got on the project
- how well I enjoyed it

There is more to it and I have created more but it overwhelms me to the point of me not wanting to organize anything.

 

[pjoa09]

Doesn't sound like OCPD to me.


OCPD is obsessions with organizing. People with OCPD don't clean out of anxiety.


OCD is delusional fear, followed by a ritual of some sort.


My obsessive thoughts are usually about stagnation and not going anywhere.

But when it does come to organizing I have the tendency to start thinking of how organized can I get?

Subject
-Completion date
- Average amount of words
- Grade I got on the project
- how well I enjoyed it

There is more to it and I have created more but it overwhelms me to the point of me not wanting to organize anything.

You are correct.

However, I think OP was talking about OCD and mislabeled it as OCPD.

OCPD is just an intense XSTJ that comes off as such an asshole psychiatrists decided to call him mentally ill. Excuse the offense if you have been diagnosed.

OCD is what I have. A lack of control of our mind. Uncontrollable thoughts and compulsions that don't make sense even to those who suffer from it. Organization could be OCD if you just keep on doing it over and over again even though you know you shouldn't. You know that it's a waste of time.

OCPDs don't. They are perfectionists and they know/think it's normal.

 

[nervous-walking]

You are correct.

However, I think OP was talking about OCD and mislabeled it as OCPD.

OCPD is just an intense XSTJ that comes off as such an asshole psychiatrists decided to call him mentally ill. Excuse the offense if you have been diagnosed.

OCD is what I have. A lack of control of our mind. Uncontrollable thoughts and compulsions that don't make sense even to those who suffer from it. Organization could be OCD if you just keep on doing it over and over again even though you know you shouldn't. You know that it's a waste of time.

OCPDs don't. They are perfectionists and they know/think it's normal.

Ah, yeah I missed the part about those who have it believing the thoughts are normal.

Has anyone here had luck with treatments?

I've doubted that the cognitive elements of treatment could help me, and I'm constantly engaging myself in exposure therapy (it feels like the OCD becomes inflamed when in social situations, so work is great for my having to stay there and keep talking to people even when I'm anxious as hell)... But I've been thinking for a while now that anxiety meds could help me a lot with simply socialising at uni and going out with friends.

 

[Lot]

oops wrong thread. A bit too much booze.