‘What seems to be the problem?’
‘I can’t stop thinking about an idea. It possesses me and I can’t stop thinking about it no matter what I do. When I brush my teeth I think about it. When I go to work I see things which make me think even more. I can’t work because I’m too busy thinking. And it used to just be in my head, but I’ve started doing this weird thing. It’s like self harming. But I want to do it anyway because it helps get rid of the idea. But it’s really difficult to do. And I don’t know why I carry on doing it. And the thoughts still don’t go away.’
‘This thing you do, is it writing?’
‘Yes…’
‘I don’t think I can help. You will need a better doctor than me. The problem is, you’re a writer.’