What is Obsession Caused By? Exploring the Roots of Our Passions and Fixations

There’s a moment I’ll never forget. I was sitting in a tiny café in Paris with a friend, both of us sipping on strong coffee, when the conversation turned to our mutual obsession—video games. We’d been talking about it for hours, dissecting every detail of our favorite game, when my friend suddenly said, “It’s crazy how something can take over your mind like this, isn’t it? Like, you can’t stop thinking about it even when you’re not playing.” That hit me hard. How could something as simple as a game hook you in so deeply?

It’s a question I’ve asked myself a lot since then. What is it about certain things—whether it’s a game, a book, a person, or a hobby—that makes us lose track of time and get so caught up in it? Why do we sometimes obsess over things, feeling like we can’t get enough, no matter how hard we try to look away?

In this article, I’m diving deep into obsession—what causes it, why it happens, and what it does to us. I’ll be mixing in personal stories and facts, along with a few conversations I’ve had along the way. So grab a drink, and let’s take a walk through the psychology of obsession. It’s one hell of a ride.

The Psychology Behind Obsession: Where Does It Come From?

So, I’ve spent a good amount of time thinking about why we become obsessed with certain things. And honestly? There isn’t a single answer. Obsession is kind of like a complicated dish, with a bunch of ingredients mixing together to form something intense and sometimes uncontrollable.

First off, the human brain loves novelty and reward. It’s wired that way. Ever notice how you can’t put down your phone after scrolling through Instagram? That little dopamine hit every time you like a photo or check a notification? That’s what keeps you hooked. A study by the Journal of Neuroscience found that dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical in our brain, is a huge factor in reinforcing behaviors. It’s like our brains are hardwired to crave that hit of reward, over and over again. When something consistently delivers that, well, it becomes hard to stop.

But there’s more to it. I remember chatting with a friend about how our obsessions with certain shows or books evolve over time. He said, “It’s like, you get so immersed in a world, and then you’re emotionally invested. You need to see what happens next.” And he was onto something. Obsession isn’t just about instant gratification; it’s about emotional attachment and deep engagement. Our brains get invested in these things, just like we do in real relationships.

Personal Experience: The Game That Took Over My Life

I’ve got a pretty solid example from my own life that really helped me understand this whole obsession thing. I’ve always been into video games, but there was one time when I fell way too deep into a game called World of Warcraft. I mean, I lost track of time. I’d wake up, get ready for work, and then the moment I finished, I’d be logging into the game. My whole social life revolved around it. It wasn’t just about playing anymore—it was about building relationships with people in the game, completing quests, and striving to be the best. I’d be glued to the screen for hours, sometimes forgetting to eat.

It wasn’t healthy, but it was hard to break free from. Why? Because the game was designed to reward me at every turn, making it hard to walk away. There’s a real psychological principle behind this: the variable ratio reinforcement schedule—which is a fancy way of saying that rewards are given out at unpredictable intervals. This keeps you coming back for more. The unpredictability makes the brain even more hooked, always wondering when the next reward will come. I learned that the hard way.

A Brief History of Obsession: From Classical Art to Modern Tech

Obsession isn’t a new phenomenon. People have been consumed by certain things for centuries. Think about the obsession with classical art in the Renaissance era. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo didn’t just create art—they became obsessed with perfecting their craft. Even though the rewards weren’t instant or tangible like today’s dopamine hits, their drive to create was relentless. The difference? They had an internal desire for mastery and recognition, not the external triggers we get now from technology.

Fast forward to today, and technology has amplified the intensity of our obsessions. Social media platforms, mobile games, and even streaming services are designed to pull us in. Platforms like Instagram or TikTok thrive on the same principles. They show you just enough to make you want more, keeping you scrolling and watching. It’s a cycle—people obsess over getting more likes, more followers, more engagement. And the more they get, the more they want.

Real Conversations: The Debate Over Obsession

Talking with people about obsession often leads to interesting debates. I remember discussing this with a group of friends at a bar a while back. One person argued that obsession isn’t necessarily a bad thing—“If you’re obsessed with something, you’re passionate, and passion leads to great things,” they said. Another friend countered, “But obsession can take over your life. It’s a double-edged sword. You lose balance, and that’s when it becomes dangerous.”

It’s a point I’ve thought about often. Passion is great—everyone loves that feeling of being so wrapped up in something that time seems to disappear. But where do you draw the line between passion and obsession? When does it go from something that fuels you to something that drains you? The answers are as varied as the people you ask.

The Triumphs and Disappointments of Obsession

Obsession, in many cases, can lead to amazing achievements. I’ve seen people dedicate themselves to learning a skill or mastering a craft, and their hard work pays off in huge ways. One of my best friends became obsessed with coding and now works as a software developer at one of the top tech firms in the world. His obsession was the reason he pushed through the long hours, the frustration, and the mistakes. He turned that passion into success.

But not all obsessions have happy endings. I’ve seen it go the other way, too. I’ve watched friends lose their sense of balance in relationships because they couldn’t stop checking their phone or obsessing over social media. It’s a real thing. Studies show that excessive use of social media can lead to anxiety and depression. The constant need to measure your worth against others can leave you feeling empty, no matter how many likes you get.

Closing Thoughts: Is Obsession Always Bad?

So, what’s the takeaway here? Obsession is complicated. It can lead to greatness, but it can also drag us into unhealthy patterns. I’m not sure there’s a clear answer about whether obsession is “good” or “bad.” I think it comes down to finding balance and being aware of what your mind and body are telling you. Whether it’s a hobby, a career, or a relationship, passion is a beautiful thing. Just make sure it doesn’t start running the show.

What’s your take on it? Have you ever had a moment when you felt completely consumed by something? What did it teach you?

Let’s talk about it. Obsession, like everything else in life, is a bit of a journey, and I’m sure we’re all still learning how to handle it.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.