OCD and Magic
The Blind Eternities forum
Posted on Aug. 29, 2017, 2:02 p.m. by Argy
I have bipolar 2, and the meds I am on have produced OCD characteristics in me.
The type of OCD I have is that I can't stand other people handling my stuff.
Bit of a nightmare for a Magic player.
I deal with it by saying this to my Opponent, at the start of each match:
"I have OCD which means that there are some things that make me agitated.
I would really like you not to grab any of my dice without checking with me first, and I'd really like you not to put stuff on my mat, unless it is cards blocking my Creatures.
You can handle my cards all that you like, as you need to. That is part of the game.
Thanks for helping me out."
People have been really helpful in regard to my condition.
The staff even let me take promos out of the packet, so I can keep them as clean as possible.
Anyone else out there dealing with OCD or other mental illness?
Oloro_Magic says... #3
I suffer from OCD resulting in tics (essentially involuntary actions on my part as a result of my compulsions). These often end with my hands clenching and becoming largely useless which can be awful when playing magic.
People tend to be very supportive of this however, as I find it necessary to maintain a strict order of where cards are placed and how my deck is shuffled and sleeved, I take longer to get through games but the community is largely accommodating of my having to work through each step methodically.
Perhaps luckily for me however my OCD manifests itself as more of a ritual based and intrusive thought disorder rather than the more common what I will classify as checking syndromes where one is more concerned with things like cleanliness, for me it is all about order and planning so as long as my opponent can follow that order I tend to not have to worry too much unless I start having repeated thoughts at which point I may as well not even play.
August 29, 2017 3:11 p.m.
I have compulsions involving the shape of text, or the composition of other visual media. For example, as I write this sentence, the actual shape of it must in some way be visually satisfying to me. Or the composition of an art work must in some way be balanced. I've never talked about this before... so it's hard to put into words.
November 24, 2017 5:12 a.m.
I think what Argy described is a very good way to handle it. Give a heads up at the start and people will be quite understanding (in most cases). I really do not suffer from a condition per se, but I noticed I am much less anxious when gaming than doing pretty much most other activities.
November 24, 2017 5:27 a.m.
Boza you may have an undiagnosed mental illness.
I'm not going to tell you how to live your life but it may be worth talking to a doctor about either getting some medication, or learning how to use mindfulness, to make yourself fell less anxious.
You don't feel as anxious when you're playing Magic as it is engaging your mind. You don't have an awareness of your anxiety, when that happens.
Homura_Akemi says... #2
Anxiety has been a challenge for me in life, and in regards to Magic too. Interacting with other people causes me a lot of worry to the point where sometimes I misplay, even when I've thought out how to win, due to being so stressed in the moment I just impulsively do something. Recently, I've started playing at a new LGS and everyone there is really friendly and outgoing. I've felt a lot better there, and have been able to concentrate once I start a match.
August 29, 2017 2:21 p.m.