I've been trying to think of a word I once knew and no longer do, and you may be the one to ask. (But if anyone knows it, do speak up.)
I read an article a few years ago in which a particular characteristic, or maybe it was even part of a syndrome, was described, and whatthe article said is that all psychotherapists dread getting patients with this characteristic-- extreme boringness.
It isn't a joke, and there is a name for the condition. There was an example given that contrasted the commentary of an ordinary patient who is free associating about a traffic light with that of a patient having this Boringness Condition.
An average patient who doesn't have this condition might say something along the lines of, "As I was driving here today, and arrived at the red light on Smith Street, a sudden painful sadness overcame me, and, because I was aware of no sad thoughts, this was disturbing to me, and then as I drove on, I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a stand of pine trees on the left, the largest of which was decorated with a strand of red lights; but when I blinked and looked again, the tree was bare-- I had imagined those lights! -- but I knew, suddenly, why the red light on Smith street had created in me this sadness; I was remembering, without knowing I was remembering, Christmas day when I was ten, and I had just opened the last of my gifts beside the tree, which was so beautiful to me with its tinsel and red lights, when my father announced...."
But the patient with this condition I can't recall the name of says, "As I was driving here today, and came to the red light on Smith Street, I was so annoyed, you know how long those lights take when you're in a hurry, but really it only lasts about two minutes, it sure makes me impatient sometimes, I guess everybody has their pet peeves, hitting those red lights is sure mine, and I hit a red light on Jones Street, too, and I wouldn't have if the guy in front of me wasn't going so slow, I think those slow drivers are so inconsiderate, but fortunately I leave early enough so a little delay doesn't much matter, I've always been that way, I like to be on time to appointments, dentist, doctor, taking the car in for inspection, work, whatever it is, I'm on time, a red light or two isn't enough to make me late, usually, I must say, though I don't like to get there too early, either, what a waste of time that would be...."
So... Does anybody know the name psychologists give to the condition of extreme boringness?
(I thought of this because I went to a dinner party last night, and.... )
Now that I think of it, the Extremely Boring Discussions thread may be the appropriate place to ask this question. |
