Is this OCD? OCPD?

[iggy097]

Okay, so for as long as I can remember, I've been completely obsessed with any given thing at one time, and then not so much anymore. Let me give you a few examples.
I got interested in salt water fish tanks, I could not stop researching, posting on forums, reading anything that I could get to, to learn more about the subject. I would dream nightly of freaking fish tanks, and wake up in the middle of the night just to read more about the subject. I ended up spending about two grand on fish supplies, and then probably two months later, compeltely lost the interest in it.
The same has happened when I got my laptop, blackberry, ps3. I seem to get completely obsessed with hobbies.
It has also happened and affected my personal love life. When I got with my new GF, I was completely obsessed with her, doing nothing but spending time with her for the first month or two. Now that my other obsessions have come into play, she feels neglected, or like she's not as important as my technology. Like we'll be spending time together, and I'll look at the stupid screensaver on the laptop, and if some setting is not just right, I HAVE to fix it. I waited untill she went to the bathroom, got up real quick and fixed the setting. I couldn't relax untill it was done.
I don't have any symptoms like washing hands or opening doors etc, but a few things that I do are, when I'm watching a movie or something, I type words with my hands ( in the air, or wherever, on the couch cushion ) that I hear during the movie. Or when I'm intent on something ( a game or an activity ), I'll do this weird thing with my lips, kind of like I'm pursing them, ( like a freaking fish lip or something), this one started right after I quit smoking.
This personality trait, my obsession with things, is very hard for my girlfriend to understand and deal with. She always thinks that I'm choosing things over her, and I'm really not, I just can't relax sometimes unless what I need to get done is dealt with. I'll just sit there thinking about it nonstop.
My son is also exhibiting these kinds of traits now at 11. He does different "ticks" like blinking, or different noises when excited. For a while he couldnt use the same fork for different foods.

Are these traits of OCD or something? As of now, I've spent the whole morning at work reading about it, and different forums, and damnit, I'lll probably spend the rest of the day doing it too.

[gunit410]

OCD is NOT a personality trait, it's an anxiety disorder which has NOTHING to do with the personality, which is why it's generally described as ego dystonic (the person views it as incompatible with their personality).

"This personality trait, my obsession with things, is very hard for my girlfriend to understand and deal with. She always thinks that I'm choosing things over her, and I'm really not, I just can't relax sometimes *unless what I need to get done is dealt with.* "

You have a very interesting form of OCD I've never really seen before.

I'd personally look into a therapist who can help you understand the disorder. Researching the disorder/techniques to deal with it can also be helpful.

[susieq87]

My experience has been obsession is a state of mind and can be changed by looking at a different way of thinking.  Self help books and therapy if this is hurting your life.  You have a thirst for knowledge but you're priorities should be in balance rather than gung ho one minute and nothing the next.  It sounds like OCD.  It is a personality trait and therefore can be corrected.