@detectivehyde People like to toss these words around a lot, especially for people that don't fit the norm. But it really does depend on the individual... there is a murky line between choice and compulsion, especially as we can turn things into a habit that can become more compulsion. A form of safety ritual/routine. As you say, the line between eccentricity, the norm and madness is unclear... it is a very fine line that depends on your perspective. One persons madness can be another persons eccentricity or norm.

I say this as someone who has stood on the brink of madness/insanity. Everything gets blurry, and it takes a radical change to pull yourself back from it. I had to reject so much, and come to terms with that.