Obsession and Family Harmony

isaiah8 · 22nd June 2008, 06:50 PM

Hi, I am a new member and I'm here to find out what your opinions are. My relationship with a family member (not my spouse, so no need to go there) is strained because he is obsessed with a conspiracy theory and cannot have a conversation without bringing up holograms, death rays and such. His wife and kids roll their eyes as he spends way too much time (in their view) on the computer "investigating".

My question is, do you believe that some people become so obsessed with conspiracy theories that it damages their relationships? Particularly relationships within their immediate families?

If so, is this counter-productive for society as a whole? Or is it an acceptable sacrifice, in your opinion, for families to struggle with an obsessed family member?

I don't think this is an isolated incident. I've done a bit of reading online to see what's up with the conspiracy theorists and apparently there is a slogan that one cannot be "paranoid enough" or something to that effect.

Any thoughts? I'm not here for debates -- just gleaning opinions.

Respectfully,

Isaiah8

fullflavormenthol · 22nd June 2008, 07:27 PM

I think some people get too obsessed with CT's. Um, and often times you just accept that they have weird ideas; but there is a time when the belief and obsession becomes so strong that it interferes with their daily life. I am not a psychologist, so I have really no opinion about what can be done about it, or a concrete idea of when the believe in a CT goes too far.

tomwaits · 22nd June 2008, 08:51 PM

Delusional Disorder

DD Forum

I think it can be treated with proper medication, but it is near impossible to convince the person that they are having delusions.

Whiplash · 22nd June 2008, 09:12 PM

There are no CT or Woo related obsessions in my family causing any dis-harmony.

Political obsessions though? You better believe it. It's gotten that we barely do family events anymore, because a couple on my Mom's side simply cannot shut the hell up about GW Bush, ever.

isaiah8 · 22nd June 2008, 09:30 PM

tomwaits,

The information you provided is fascinating to me because although I am fairly familiar with the criteria for diagnosis of certain mental disorders, I had not seen a definition of "delusional disorder" before. I am referring to the criteria listed in the first link you provided. I could not get the second link to open.

I am going to use the criteria found at the first link you gave to make a poll on another thread.

Thanks!

Respectfully,

Isaiah8

Yes, and it is a serious problem.	1	6.25%
Yes, to some extent, but it's not a serious problem.	1	6.25%
Possibly	1	6.25%
Definitely not	13	81.25%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

22nd June 2008, 06:50 PM	#1
isaiah8 New Blood Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9	Obsession and Family Harmony Hi, I am a new member and I'm here to find out what your opinions are. My relationship with a family member (not my spouse, so no need to go there) is strained because he is obsessed with a conspiracy theory and cannot have a conversation without bringing up holograms, death rays and such. His wife and kids roll their eyes as he spends way too much time (in their view) on the computer "investigating". My question is, do you believe that some people become so obsessed with conspiracy theories that it damages their relationships? Particularly relationships within their immediate families? If so, is this counter-productive for society as a whole? Or is it an acceptable sacrifice, in your opinion, for families to struggle with an obsessed family member? I don't think this is an isolated incident. I've done a bit of reading online to see what's up with the conspiracy theorists and apparently there is a slogan that one cannot be "paranoid enough" or something to that effect. Any thoughts? I'm not here for debates -- just gleaning opinions. Respectfully, Isaiah8
isaiah8 New Blood Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9

22nd June 2008, 07:27 PM	#2
fullflavormenthol Master Poster Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,417	I think some people get too obsessed with CT's. Um, and often times you just accept that they have weird ideas; but there is a time when the belief and obsession becomes so strong that it interferes with their daily life. I am not a psychologist, so I have really no opinion about what can be done about it, or a concrete idea of when the believe in a CT goes too far.
	__________________ "Burning people! He says what we're all thinking!" -GLaDOS

22nd June 2008, 09:12 PM	#4
Whiplash Acting like a maniac Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Shipwrecked and Comatose Posts: 5,389	There are no CT or Woo related obsessions in my family causing any dis-harmony. Political obsessions though? You better believe it. It's gotten that we barely do family events anymore, because a couple on my Mom's side simply cannot shut the hell up about GW Bush, ever.
	__________________ Ken Buddha.. a smile, two bangs, and a religion. On the ricochet.. it's gonna hit you. It's always funny until someone gets hurt.

22nd June 2008, 09:30 PM	#5
isaiah8 New Blood Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9	tomwaits, The information you provided is fascinating to me because although I am fairly familiar with the criteria for diagnosis of certain mental disorders, I had not seen a definition of "delusional disorder" before. I am referring to the criteria listed in the first link you provided. I could not get the second link to open. I am going to use the criteria found at the first link you gave to make a poll on another thread. Thanks! Respectfully, Isaiah8
isaiah8 New Blood Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9

22nd June 2008, 08:51 PM	#3
tomwaits Master Poster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chicago, IL, USA Posts: 2,288	Delusional Disorder DD Forum I think it can be treated with proper medication, but it is near impossible to convince the person that they are having delusions.