Over obsessing over fictional characters

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Ok I'm having an issue with my obsessive behaviors. I've been diagnosed with Asperger's, ADHD, OCD, and Bipolar II. But lately I've become even more fixated on things, specifically with fictional characters. Right now it's Commander Shepard from Mass Effect. All I can think about right now is Commander Shepard to the point where it's preventing me from doing my daily activities. Can't help around the house, can't watch/read/play anything. I'm too focused on Shepard, and it's even giving me a headache. The only thing I can do that doesn't involve Shepard is listen to Sabaton (a Swedish heavy metal band). The last time this happened was when I finished Assassin's Creed Origins, and then it was Bayek, Bayek, Bayek! This usually happens when I finish something, whether it be a book, tv show, movie, or video game. It's like I can't accept that it ends. Does anyone else experience something similar?

Yes. Quite often my obsessions do not fall into the useful category, in which I research and learn all I can about a topic. Quite often they just involve me getting focussed on a particular character from a TV show or something and I just keep imagining scenarios or conversations with that character over and over. It often gets to the point where I can't sleep, but I usually manage to still think about it while I'm doing the housework so I don't get too behind. I do slow down, and I lose a lot of motivation for doing other things.

What I have noticed is that I tend to do this a lot more when I am stressed. Like if I am starting a new job, or going on holiday, or am battling with the new discovery that I'm autistic. Having noticed this, I now use it as a measure of my stress and anxiety levels. If I find I am thinking a lot about a character then I stop and look at my life and consider if there is anything that is causing me to be worried. This doesn't stop me imagining, but it does mean that I can then think about how to deal with the thing that's bothering me.

I also find it helpful to work out what it is about that character that draws me to them, and what that tells me about myself. When I was in high school it was Phantom of the Opera, and I can see that I was drawn to him for his lonliness, his being an outcast. Recently I had a thing for Phil Coulson (from Marvel), and I think that was about the way he always does what he believes is right, and goes around saving people. I want to be able to save others too, but perhaps in a less dramatic way. I also use him as an inspiriation when I'm scared of doing something, usually because I'm scared to talk to someone about an issue.

I have always been drawn to fictional characters from shows I watch and books I read. I've done this for as long as I can remember. They become my life and all I think about and I relate everything in my life to them. Most of the time, I don't mind it. It does really upset me though when people tell me to stop talking about my character. There is one character I call my "baby" and I love her so much. My friend said something negative about her and I sort of snapped the other day. I was embarrassed that I acted that way, but she is understanding and I apologized for snapping. I know a lot of people who feel the same way about different characters, so you are not alone.

When it comes to the ending thing, I think I get it. I have trouble watching the last episode of my favorite series because I cry, and not just because it is sad, but because I care so much about the characters (especially my "baby"). I write a lot of fanfiction and draw a ton of fan art and I just started making my first fanvid to cope.

Over the years, I’ve become increasingly fixated on the movie Osmosis Jones. I’ve had an interest in on particular character since watching it as a child, and have only recently become fixated at this intensity. I love drawing and drawing him and writing fan fiction, I even have a blog dedicated to him. I’ve begun exploring the development of the movie and the filmography of his voice actor, it interests me so much. You’re not alone!

If your fixation on this character is infringing on your daily functioning, it may be time to seek help. I suspect in your case that it might have something to do with your OCD.

I've been drawn to fictional characters my entire life. Either the nerdy types or the types that come across to me as autistic in some way or another.

Walking home from a movie, I was once tempted to place some Graffiti praising the show's heroine, but I was OK after a sleep. Sherlock Holmes I took as more an archetype to admire than a real person.

For me it's been Magneto from X-men, Urahara from Bleach and Sidious from Star Wars.

Usually, my interests revolve around real people, but I have had interests in some fictional ones, like Pippi Longstocking and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat.

I obsess over historical figures, which are similar. I imagine myself being with them all the time, I consider them my friends, and I feel an immense amount of love for Ludwig Wittgenstein.

We need MariaTheFictionkin to chime in here. I think she'd have a lot to say about this.

I always obsess over fictional characters! As sad and stupid as this might sound, but it is and always has been the most important thing in my life (well, along with my family and my cat) and one of the few things that can actually make me really happy and excited.

I don’t even consciously choose, who I obsess over. It just happens. Something about a character just draws me in and suddenly I “emotionally adopt” them. Then suddenly, the only thing important to me is this character and the fate of said character and I re-watch (or re-read) all of their scenes over and over again until I know everything they say and every single detail of their mannerisms and characterization by heart. Sometimes I even copy some of these mannerisms consciously or subconsciously. I have to know everything about this character and I research about them as much as I can find. I can watch fanvideos on youtube for hours. I also look for fanfiction about this character, because I hope to find a few stories that dive deep into these characters and their internal conflicts (and also, since many of those characters are in a very miserable position, I look for something that finally gives them happiness).

Sometimes I don’t even like the actual show/movie that much. I just watch it for that certain character.

This may be strange. But I go though periods of my life where I obsess about not just one character. But multiple characters in the series. Or the whole series as a whole. It's either a movie, tv show, or video game franchise. Right now since back in the fall it's been Sonic the Hedgehog. I watch ton of YouTube videos about Sonic. And play and think about the games. Constantly. And I also have the OSTs for several Sonic games on my phone and laptop. And when I'm listening to them. It makes me having memories of when I'm playing that level the music is from. Don't know if this has to do with obsessing over fictional characters or not.

For some reason, my favorite fictional characters seem to be cats, and Siamese cats are a particular favorite. I love Tao from The Incredible Journey and D.C. from That Darn Cat. Both were played by Syn-Cat, named by Walt Disney because he synchronized perfectly (PURR-fectly) with everything.

I also love Thomasina from "The Three Lives of Thomasina."

I always get over obsessive over fictional characters!
I think this happens on everyone... At least me and my best friends, who are all neurotypical.
Weeks ago I was over obsessive with Scootaloo in My Little Ponies, and before that I was over obsessive with Nightbeat in Transformers.
And I am always kinda over-obsessive about doing researches about autism. Whenever I think about something related to autism I will stop doing whatever I should be doing until I do a full research about it lol. This is actually what I am doing now - while I should be reviewing for my AP exam, I'm searching things about what "lack of self-awareness" means on this forum.

Usually when I realize my obsession is affecting my daily working, I create a scene of the fictional character commanding me to do my homework. It sometimes works.
Or you can keep taking deep breathes until the character is washed out of your brain. This works in short term for me.