What is the difference between possession and obsession?
Asked by: Everette Orn | Last update: January 29, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (24 votes)
Obsession involves persistent, intrusive thoughts or fixations (psychological), while possession typically refers to an external entity taking control of a person's body (spiritual/supernatural), though in relationships, obsession is an unhealthy fixation, and possessiveness is the desire to own someone, often stemming from fear, contrasting with the internal struggle of obsession.
What is the difference between obsession and possessive?
🔹 Possessiveness means you want to be the most important person in your partner's life. 🔹 Obsessiveness means you want to be the only person in their life. 🔹 Possessiveness comes from love, while obsessiveness stems from fear and anger. 🔹 Obsessiveness can lead to control and abuse in relationships.
What is the difference between possession and obsession in the Catholic Church?
A psychological obsession is recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted. Possession—the phenomenon in which the devil invades the body of a living person and moves the faculties and organs as if he were manipulating a body of his own.
Can someone be possessive and obsessive?
“On a practical level, there really isn't much of a difference between being obsessive and being possessive. After all, it stands to common sense that a possessive person is clearly obsessed about controlling the other person, and an obsessive person is trying to possess over something or somebody.
What does psychology say about possession?
To be possessed means to be out of control or, within some religions, to have an entity of a malignant nature taking control of one's body and actions. For the modern mind, possession is frightening because it is associated with a discontinuity in identity/personality, and alterations in consciousness and behavior.
6 Levels of Demonic Possession | Fr Chad Ripperger and Dr Taylor Marshall
What are the three types of possession?
The three types of possession are close proximity, exclusive possession, and actual knowledge. In court, the state must prove all three types of possession beyond any reasonable doubt in matters like illegal weapons, drug, and pornography possession.
What mental illness causes possessiveness?
In close relationships, a person with BPD may appear jealous, possessive, or hyper-reactive. These individuals often fear being left alone and have deep feelings of worthlessness. In many cases, this disorder is the direct result of childhood trauma, abuse, violence, or neglect.
Is obsession the same as possession?
Obsession, from Latin obsidere (to besiege), is a form of insanity caused, according to traditional belief, by the persistent attack of an invading spirit from outside the individual. Obsession is the opposite of possession, control by an invading spirit from within.
What is the 3 6 9 rule in relationships?
But it does provide some rough guidelines as to how soon may be too soon to make long-term commitments and how long may be too long to stick with a relationship. Each of the three numbers—three, six, and nine—stands for the month that a different common stage of a relationship tends to end.
What is the root cause of possessiveness?
Possessiveness, closely linked to insecurity, often arises when individuals fear losing someone or something they perceive as vital to their well-being. In romantic relationships, possessiveness may manifest as jealousy, controlling behaviors, or a constant need to monitor their partner's actions.
What is the #1 worst sin?
There's no single #1 worst sin; it depends on the religious or moral framework, but pride is often called the root of all evil (Christianity/Islam), while the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (unforgivable sin) is considered the gravest in the Bible. Other severe sins include child abuse (Catholicism) and sins that "cry to Heaven" (like shedding innocent blood or oppressing the poor).
What qualifies as an obsession?
Obsessions. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive, recurrent, and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that cause distressing emotions such as anxiety, fear, or disgust. Most people with OCD recognize that these thoughts are a product of their mind and that they are excessive or unreasonable.
What is an unhealthy obsession?
An unhealthy obsession is an intense, persistent preoccupation with someone or something that significantly interferes with daily life, causing distress, anxiety, and neglecting responsibilities, unlike healthy passions that foster growth. It involves compulsive thoughts and behaviors, often driven by insecurity, fear of rejection, or a need for control, leading to negative emotions like shame and guilt when the obsession isn't met. Key signs include constant intrusive thoughts, sacrificing social life, extreme emotional highs/lows tied to the object of obsession, and inability to function normally.
What are the signs of possessiveness?
Insulting, demeaning, or shaming you, especially in front of other people. Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school. Controlling finances in the household without discussion, including taking your money or refusing to provide money for necessary expenses.
What is 777 in dating?
Theres a rule out there called the 777 rule that offers couples a gentle, intentional way to keep their bond strong and their hearts aligned. The concept is simple yet powerful: have a date night every seven days, a weekend getaway every seven weeks, and a romantic holiday every seven months.
What stage do most couples break up?
Most couples break up during key transition points, often in the first few months (end of the honeymoon phase), between years 3 to 5 (the power struggle/decision point when reality sets in), and sometimes around years 7 or 15 as routine or stagnation occurs, though early breakups (months 3-5) due to incompatibility are also common as infatuation fades and real life hits.
What is the 70 20 10 relationship rule?
The 70-20-10 rule is primarily a learning and development framework for leadership, suggesting 70% comes from challenging experiences, 20% from relationships/feedback, and 10% from formal training, but it's also adapted for relationships, meaning appreciate 70%, work on 20% growth areas, and accept 10% quirks, and for content/innovation (70% proven, 20% premier, 10% experimental). It's a guideline, not a rigid law, for balancing growth, maintenance, and acceptance in different contexts.
What is the root cause of obsession?
Both environmental and genetic factors are believed to play a role. Risk factors include a history of adverse childhood experiences or other stress-inducing events.
What is possession in relationships?
A possessive relationship is one where a partner cares more about controlling someone and keeping them close than genuinely loving them. Possessive people may demand constant attention, expect their partner to prioritize them above everything else, and react negatively to any form of independence.
What is the psychology of possession?
The study of possessions is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, and consumer behavior (Belk, 1988; Dittmar, 1992). Researchers have investigated how possessions influence our sense of self, our relationships with others, and our attitudes and behaviors.
Which is the hardest mental illness to live with?
There's no single "hardest" mental illness, as experiences vary, but Schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Bipolar Disorder, and severe Eating Disorders (like Anorexia Nervosa) are often cited as extremely challenging due to their profound impact on reality, emotions, relationships, and daily functioning, often involving symptoms like psychosis, severe mood swings, intense instability, and distorted self-perception.
What does BPD jealousy look like?
Jealousy in borderline personality can manifest in the patient frequently accusing the partner of cheating or hiding things; extreme suspiciousness of the partner's behavior, whereabouts, and communications; a constant need for reassurance of the partner's fidelity; and, in extreme cases, stalking and abusive or ...
What mental illness causes obsession with a person?
Relationship obsessive-compulsive disorder (ROCD) includes obsessions over a close or intimate relationship or partner and may include an obsessive focus on how a partner is unreliable or untrustworthy. Obsessive distrust in a relationship may link to depression, anxiety, and violence in a relationship.