Obsession and Family Harmony

[isaiah8]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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