I used to think I might be developing Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Now I don’t think I really have it, except for thinking maybe I do every now and then just from reading something about it. Sort of like getting a papercut and going to WebMD — suddenly you think you have all this crazy worst-case-scenario stuff.
Anyway, after 0wning some n00bz with my World of Warcraft shadow-priest, I ran to the nearest city to repair my gear. I go to jump the fence like I normally do, only this time I timed it incorrectly and kind of.. half-stepped on it and walked over it. That’s when I found myself in an interesting situation.
For some reason, without even realizing it, I ran around and jumped it… the correct way. I didn’t even realize it until after I had done it.
So now I wonder, does this virtual world have virtual OCD characters? Or, more importantly, do OCD people that play World of Warcraft encounter these types of cyber-rituals while running around Azeroth?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a psychiatric disorder; more specifically, it is an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but it is most commonly characterized by a subject’s obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Are there people that have to touch the auctioneer 5 times before running through the gates of Stormwind? And when they run through the gates, their little character’s feet can’t touch the texture that represents the big crack in the stone? How awesome! Right?
Am I the only one that has considered this?
3 Responses to “OCD World of Warcraft Players”rss
Daniel, on March 26th, 2007, said:
This definitely is very real to me. I do the exact same thing. Then again, I have OCD “in real life” anyway. World of Warcraft is a way for me to ease the everyday tensions of having OCD; I can take out the rituals in-game rather than outside in the actual world. As for many of the other players, I’m pretty sure many of them have developed some sort of OCD anxiety, whether it be hopping around back and forth while waiting for a battleground queue or what not.
Georgie, on March 13th, 2008, said:
Not wholy related to OCD but I sometimes have it when I’ve played too much WoW, when in real life I’m walking down the street I start turning the surroundings into the game, and you think about turning a corner and the arrow keys pop into your head, definately not a good sign - but such a great and addictive game!
Joshua, on August 24th, 2008, said:
No, you are certainly not the only one. I have owned and “played” WoW since launch and what do I have to show for almost four years of $15 a month? Nothing. Not one damn thing. Why? Because I am a mild OCPD (P is personality, different from OCD). Mild meaning I can control my impulses and break the rituals and routines when I focus, but it still sucks.
For instance, I have been obsessed with not dying in WoW, ever. Not once. That was the goal. However, it evolved into a certain sequence of events that if I did not do exactly correct, I would delete the character and recreate him in a terrible cycle, until I felt I got it right. Only to screw something up somewhere else and start all over again. In relation to the OP’s story, this is much more extreme, but I just thought I would share what I have been doing for the last four years. It makes me mad just talking about it…
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