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Boredom threshold

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pitstopbunny | 11:54 Fri 11th Nov 2005 | Body & Soul
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I consider myself to be vaguely intelligent - A levels, degree etc - but why do I get bored or lose interest, in things that I start or am doing, so quickly? Is there such a thing as having as very low boredom threshold and if so, what causes it? And why, when I want an interest or something to do does it have to be something weird? Instead of wanting a normal hobby I would say that reading about exceptional private properties of the world, devising elaborate dinner party menus and studying serial killers rank highly on list of things I find fascinating!
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Hadn't thought of that
As I've got older (now 25) my concentration levels outside of work seem to have decreased dramatically. Inside work, I can concentrate and work hard all day, but these days nothing in my leisure time holds any interest anymore. I used to be able to sit around and watch TV or play computer games etc for hours as a kid, but now can't find much to hold my interest. I start writing novels, learn to play the guitar, painting or learning more about a subject, but rarely get past about a day of interest. It's worried me a bit over the last year, but I though that it was probably just normal! Maybe not
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That's exactly what I am experiencing - a day's interest which is really intense then the fascination wears out
Have you ever suffered from depression or wondered if you might have it ?
It strikes in very weird ways.
I would be absolutely hyper about something, spend a fortune on it then suddenly lose interest.
Hi pitstopbunny. Same as me then. The novel's a classic example. I was so keen to write it at the start but after a few hours writing, I'd decided I was bored of it. Sometimes I feel a compulsion to know something, and so for example learnt every capital city in the worl for no reason. But at work etc I've got no problems concentrating. But I don't think it's a bad thing - we've jsut got high interest expectations.
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I also have the problem that although I love my family dearly, I can find their conversations incredibly boring but quite often they have no idea of what I am even talking about if I start a conversation up.
Of course it's possible, and the more intelligent someone is the shorter the boredom span can be before you need more stimulation. I used to panic if I was in an audience and not interested in what was going on as I was absolutely unable to stimulate my mind and time seemed to stand still. Nowadays if I watch TV, on my own or not, I usually draw on a notepad or read at the same time, and talk if someone's there. I keep the radio on all day if the TV isn't, especially at the computer where I'm busy but have a space that the radio can fill as well in my attention. Just find more to do and use it to fill the space, it just takes experimentation.
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Thanks David - I realised that I automatically do that - turn the pc on and turn the radio or TV on at the same time. I also can manage to have 3 chat windows open & still be doing whatever it is on the pc at the same time. Talk about multi tasking!
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As they pointed me here some time ago I'll add funtrivia.com for trivia forum addicts, an international version of AB and more. Always time for new sites to visit!
I've been worried about my own low boredom threshold for quite a while now. I do suffer from depression, which probably doesn't help. What I find most troubling though, is being with other people. Whether family, friends or strangers, there are very few times that I don't feel bored by the chit-chat that the others seem to find interesting and worthy of comment. This leads to me isolating myself, sometimes I make an excuse to leave, then go and sit in a bar with a book to read.
In fact I would say that's one of the things in life I find most enjoyable. Sometimes I arrive at a date early just to sit and read, and I find myself getting quite annoyed when the other person arrives and "interrupts" my reading.
Even with important family affairs, I find I have to force myself to be interested, trying hard to find something relevant to say.
Like others here, I've also started numerous different hobbies - playing the guitar, writing a book, photography etc - starting off well and full of enthusiasm, before dropping it all, selling the guitar, camera, whatever.
I would be glad to hear from others who have a similar problem.
Thanks for reading this.
Johnsongs, If I hadn't seen your name, I'd not have been surprised if someone had told me that I had written that response; I'd told myself: "Surely, I must have forgotten about it".
Like you, people bore me and books fascinate me. Perhaps It'd not be out of place to quote Maugham here: "Some people read for instruction, which is praiseworthy, and some for pleasure, which is innocent, but not a few read from habit, and I suppose that is neither innocent nor praiseworthy. Of that lamentable company am I. Conversation after a time bores me, games tire me, and my own thoughts, which we are told are the unfailing resource of a sensible man, have a tendency to run dry....... I would sooner read the catalogue of the Army and Navy stores or Bradshaw's Guide than nothing at all, and indeed I have spent many delightful hours over both these works".
Can I just say, I have an extremely low boredom threshold, same as you. And I was really surprised to see that you study serial killers and read up on hugely extravagant properties too! I thought I was the only one who did that...I am a little worried I have ADD, but if anyone can help me, please post :D.

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