Obsession

[seun]

Is there a medical defintion of obsession? If a character experiences a traumatic event and is still affected by it several years later, would that be obsessive?

For symptoms, I'm looking at mood swings, vivid dreams of the event, an inability to fully commit to relationships and almost constant thoughts playing back what happened.

[waylander]

Sounds like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

[seun]

Interesting. I didn't consider that. Would PTSD go on for several years? At the moment, I'm looking at the story covering 8-9 years.

[waylander]

I think so. There are plenty of ex-servicemen around still suffering PTSD from the first Gulf War.
You might pick up something about it from the recent coverage of the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War

[seun]

Thanks. I'll look into it - even though it's depressing.

[Puma]

Or try looking at the records from the Vietnam War - lots of people have never recovered from the stress it caused. Puma

[Pat~]

Obsessional thoughts (often coupled with compulsive behaviors) are usually a sign of increased anxiety. They can be present in PTSD or even clinical depression. Hope that helps.

[seun]

Cheers. :)