Medical Question of Obsession: The Impact of Math and Neuroscience on Personal Life

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The discussion centers on a 22-year-old male in the U.S. who is deeply engrossed in math and computational neuroscience, leading to detrimental effects on his personal life, including insomnia and obsessive behavior. He shifted from a pre-med track to pursue his passion for math during his senior year as a biology undergraduate. His intense study habits have caused him to lose track of time, with reports of studying over 15 hours a day for two weeks straight. Despite his dedication, he feels that mental health professionals at his school are more surprised by his identity as a black math major than focused on addressing his issues. The conversation highlights concerns about the potential mental health implications of his obsessive study patterns and emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help to manage these challenges effectively.
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I am a 22 year-old male in the U.S. My fascination (or obsession) for math/computational neuroscience/set-theory/Analysis & Topology topics has reached nearly unprecedented levels in my life to the point of posing a detriment to my personal life (insomnia, pickiness, and periodic rage). I never took differential equations or Calc. III as far as the academic institution's agenda is concerned since I was forced into the med-school track for the conventional 'get-money-while-being-snobby-and-looking-smart" reason. Since this description does not match my life's ambition, I returned to math after reaching my Senior Year as a Bio undergrad. I feel I am on the right path, but the harder I focus on what I wish to pursue the more obsessed I become.

Ex. I thought yesterday was Monday since that was the last time I remembered studying. Then my mom recently told me that I'd been studying consistently for two consecutive weeks for well over 15 hours a day (typically from 11 a.m to 7-9 a.m.; sleeping, then repeating). When I am tired, I do go home after living in my school's math department over the aforementioned time period. As far as time goes, I have completely lost track of it. It is extremely annoying, since I feel that as soon as I start studying I have to stop after what seems to be 3 minutes to me when it has actually been several hours. The only reason I even stop is because I have to eat and sleep to keep going.

When I tell the school psychiatrists/mental health folks they seem to be more surprised at the notion of a black math major than directing their resources and attention towards alleviating the issue.

O.K. So now to my question: Is there a cause for a "mental-issue" concern when I try to solve a problem in D.Eq. such as this:

\int \frac {1}{y} dy \leftrightarrow \int \frac {1}{1 + x} dx

by doing this:

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9438129029_5083b60405_c.jpg

9438129171_7e77ed95ea_c.jpg
 
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I suggest that you seek professional help. We cannot help you with something this severe online.

The best of luck to you.
 
Please please heed Evo's advise and consult a doctor. Losing track of time in such a significant way is not healthy, neither is such obsessive behaviour.
 
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