1.

Stages of obsession:

Obsession can be broken down into several stages, which are often referred to as the "obsessive-
compulsive cycle." The stages are:

 Trigger: Something happens that triggers the obsession, such as an event, a thought, or a
feeling.

 Obsession: The person becomes preoccupied with the trigger and can't stop thinking about it.

 Anxiety: The obsession causes anxiety and distress, which can lead to physical symptoms such as
sweating, shaking, and heart palpitations.

 Compulsion: The person feels a need to perform a compulsive behavior, such as washing their
hands, checking something repeatedly, or performing a ritual, in order to reduce the anxiety
caused by the obsession.

 Temporary relief: The compulsion provides temporary relief from the anxiety, but the cycle
starts again with a new trigger.

2. Types of obsession:

Obsessions can take many forms, but some common types include:

 Contamination: Fear of germs or dirt, leading to excessive cleaning or hand washing.

 Checking: Fear of harm or danger, leading to checking and rechecking things like locks,
appliances, or switches.

 Hoarding: Collecting and saving items to the point where it interferes with daily life.

 Intrusive thoughts: Unwanted and often disturbing thoughts that keep recurring, leading to
anxiety and distress.

 Symmetry and order: A need for things to be "just right" or symmetrical, leading to repetitive
behaviors like arranging or counting objects.

3. Links to 5 reference animations that depict obsession:

Here are five animations that explore the theme of obsession:

 Perfect Blue (1997) - a Japanese anime film about a pop singer who becomes increasingly
paranoid and delusional as she tries to shed her image as a "pure" and innocent performer.

 Anomalisa (2015) - a stop-motion film about a depressed customer service expert who becomes
obsessed with a woman he meets during a business trip.

 Coraline (2009) - a stop-motion film about a young girl who discovers a hidden door in her new
home that leads to a parallel world where everything is perfect, but at a terrible cost.

 The Garden of Words (2013) - a Japanese anime film about a high school student who becomes
obsessed with a woman he meets in a park, despite their age difference and the challenges of
their relationship.
  Paprika (2006) - a Japanese anime film about a scientist who invents a device that allows people
to enter and explore their dreams, leading to a dangerous obsession with the technology.

4. Three examples of what areas of work or items artists easily get obsessed both internationally
and in Ghana:

Some areas of work or items that artists can get easily obsessed with include:

 Perfectionism: Artists may become obsessed with creating the "perfect" artwork, which can lead
to endless revisions and nitpicking over details.

 Technique: Some artists may become obsessed with mastering a particular technique or
medium, spending hours practicing and perfecting their skills.

 Personal themes: Many artists explore personal themes and experiences in their work, which
can lead to a deep and intense connection to their art.

References:

 American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

 Grayson, J. B. (2014). Freedom from obsessive-compulsive disorder: A personalized recovery

 Jakes, S., & Aoki, H. (Writers). (1997). Perfect Blue [Motion picture]. Rex Entertainment.

 Johnson, C., Kaufman, C., &