obsession / possession
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obsession
A state in which a person is extremely strongly fixated on a single thing, idea, or person and can hardly think about anything else. This fixation can take on compulsive features.
Seine Besessenheit für das Projekt führte dazu, dass er Tag und Nacht arbeitete.
His obsession with the project led him to work day and night.
possession
In a religious or spiritual sense, the state of being controlled or inhabited by a spirit, demon, or foreign power.
In alten Schriften wird oft von der Besessenheit durch böse Geister berichtet.
Old writings often report cases of possession by evil spirits.
The word is derived from the adjective 'besessen' (obsessed/possessed), the past participle of 'besitzen' (to possess/own). The ending '-heit' forms an abstract noun. 'Besessenheit' therefore describes the state of being 'besessen' (obsessed/possessed) or taken over by an idea or a power.
Ihre Besessenheit von Perfektion macht die Zusammenarbeit schwierig.
Her obsession with perfection makes working together difficult.
To express what the obsession refers to, the preposition 'von' with the dative is usually used. Less common, but also possible, is 'für' with the accusative, especially for topics or activities.
Er hat eine Besessenheit von alten Münzen entwickelt.
He developed an obsession with old coins.
Common phrases are 'eine Besessenheit für etwas entwickeln' (to develop an obsession with something) or, when a strong fixation is being described, 'an Besessenheit grenzen' (to border on obsession). It is also often described with adjectives such as 'krankhaft' (pathological) or 'leidenschaftlich' (passionate).
Sein Interesse an dem Fall grenzte schon an Besessenheit.
His interest in the case already bordered on obsession.
This meaning is found almost exclusively in a religious, mythological, or supernatural context. Words such as 'Dämon' (demon), 'Teufel' (devil), 'Geist' (spirit/ghost), or 'Exorzismus' (exorcism) in the same sentence clearly point to this meaning.
Der Priester sollte die Besessenheit des Mannes untersuchen.
The priest was supposed to investigate the man's possession.
dependence / addiction
Both Abhängigkeit and Besessenheit can describe behavior or thinking that is difficult to control. Abhängigkeit mainly emphasizes a compulsive desire for a substance or behavior, whereas Besessenheit emphasizes an extreme fixation on a thing, idea, or person. Choose according to which aspect of the problem is most important.
Ihre Besessenheit von der Sängerin ließ sie an kaum etwas anderes denken.
Her obsession with the singer left her barely able to think about anything else.
Seine Abhängigkeit vom Glücksspiel bestimmte inzwischen seinen ganzen Alltag.
His addiction to gambling now shaped his entire daily life.
