Obsession is a pathological narrowing of focus anyone could suffer

Evidence

Tomek functions in the world, he holds down his job, but like someone with a serious mental illness he makes objects of other people; it seems he cannot enter into any human feelings but his own. Or perhaps this is exactly what obsession is like: an intolerable, pathological narrowing of focus, to which any of us could fall victim in the course of our lives. — Hilary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self- A Life in…, 381

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to how Mantel elsewhere renders characters who objectify others (e.g., Cromwell’s analytical surveillance of people). — connects to: Obsession with mortality functions as a form of psychological slavery. — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2115; Everyday attention lapses and memory failures have affective consequences of mindlessness. — Everyday attention lapses and memory failures; Recognizing thoughts as just thoughts reduces their power. — Dan Harris, 10 percent Happier, 295 (+2 more)
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Hilary Mantel, A Memoir of My Former Self- A Life in…, 381

Broader Connections

• Obsession with mortality functions as a form of psychological slavery. #expands (0.65) — Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, 2115
• The phobic object is overdetermined and has previously evoked an affect #expands (0.60)
• Recognizing thoughts as just thoughts reduces their power. #qualifies (0.55) — Dan Harris, 10 percent Happier, 295
• Neurotic structure erupts from environment and the individual’s personal reactions combined. #expands (0.55)