Obsessive thoughts and behaviors.

By Dave Mowry, 7 May 2021

When I was younger, I would have obsessive thoughts. One time, I wanted to figure out how much money I would have in three years if I saved fifty dollars a month at 5 percent interest. So, I sat down to do the math and determine ($50 × 5%) + a = … + ($50 × 5%) + b = … + ($50 × 5%) + c = … and, pretty soon, I lost track of my purpose.

My brain went on by itself. Finally, I was at 50 years—well past my goal of only three—and, at last, I stopped. It was as if I was out of control. When I became aware again, I thought, What was I doing? And the numbers didn’t make any sense.