--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It wasn't an itch. It was a sickness. It…" description: "\"“It wasn't an itch. It was a sickness. It was poison blazing through him, thinking of her all the time, watching her, touching her, wanting and wanting..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/shana-abe-7423_itch_it-wasn-t-an-itch-it-was-a-sickness-it-w_2704163.png" --- # It wasn't an itch. It was a sickness. It was poison… ![“It wasn't an itch. It was a sickness. It was poison blazing through him, thinking of her all the time, watching her, touching her, wanting and wanting and wanting until his mind went black.” quote by Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/shana-abe-7423_itch_it-wasn-t-an-itch-it-was-a-sickness-it-w_2704163.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/shana-abe-7423_itch_it-wasn-t-an-itch-it-was-a-sickness-it-w_2704163.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4c3/shana-abe-7423_itch_it-wasn-t-an-itch-it-was-a-sickness-it-w_2704163.png) > ““It wasn't an itch. It was a sickness. It was poison blazing through him, thinking of her all the time, watching her, touching her, wanting and wanting and wanting until his mind went black.”” [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obsession becomes a consuming poison, driving the mind to darkness through relentless longing and fixation. **In simple terms:** Obsession leads to darkness. Key Takeaway Recognize and curb obsessive thoughts. Themes obsession love destruction Mood melancholic intense Type literary dramatic When to use this quote - relationship counseling - creative writing - mental health awareness - self‑reflection Key Concepts psychological addiction emotional intensity Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your obsessive focus? - How can you break unhealthy cycles? A Different Perspective Obsession can harm mental health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Zane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zane/) ## Related quotes > [“It starts raining harder, I've got a long way to go walking and pushing that sore leg right along in the gathering rain, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/it-starts-raining-harder-i-ve-got-a-long-way-to-go-walking-and/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [“And while I initially resisted, the thought of touching her, of her wanting me to touch her . . . Well, damn, I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-constantine/and-while-i-initially-resisted-the-thought-of-touching-her-of-her/) Robin Constantine > [“Lia, all that I am is what I do. I'm not meant for a tame sort of life, to dwell in bucolic splendor. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/lia-all-that-i-am-is-what-i-do-i-m-not-meant-for-a-tame-sort-of-life/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“He felt beyond himself. He felt for the first time in his adult life a shadow of fear in his heart--fear for her, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/he-felt-beyond-himself-he-felt-for-the-first-time-in-his-adult-life-a/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“I love you. Even more than gold and dreams, I love you. It seems insane you haven't realize it. You were the one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/i-love-you-even-more-than-gold-and-dreams-i-love-you-it-seems-insane/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“I need to keep sharp. But when you're this damned close to me, all I think about is you . I think about your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/i-need-to-keep-sharp-but-when-you-re-this-damned-close-to-me-all-i/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“He mouthed the words to her that she could not see, and that she could not hear. It was all he dared tonight, strangers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/he-mouthed-the-words-to-her-that-she-could-not-see-and-that-she-could/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“She did what she could for him. She kissed him in return. She lost her breath and both her hearts, and finally Turned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/she-did-what-she-could-for-him-she-kissed-him-in-return-she-lost-her/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“Something inside his chest unlocked--wildly, slowly, a peculiar sort of melting. He was lost. He was the thorn and the thistle, blown upon her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/something-inside-his-chest-unlocked-wildly-slowly-a-peculiar-sort-of/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“You said I was pretty, before." "Did I?" A new laugh escaped him, mirthless. "How unoriginal. I must be the master of understatement. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/you-said-i-was-pretty-before-did-i-a-new-laugh-escaped-him-mirthless/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“He sighed heavily and lifted his chin stubbornly, meeting Zane's eyes without flinching. "I didn't just say it to get you to jump. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/he-sighed-heavily-and-lifted-his-chin-stubbornly-meeting-zane-s-eyes/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) > [“When you're young, you think the world will make room for who you are and what you want… And then you find the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-braswell/when-you-re-young-you-think-the-world-will-make-room-for-who-you-are/) [Liz Braswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-braswell/) > [“Ty laughed, a carefree, boyish sound, and glanced to his side, distracted by what he saw. “You moved the rug.” “I kitty-cornered it.” “Why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/ty-laughed-a-carefree-boyish-sound-and-glanced-to-his-side-distracted/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) > [“Who are you, Zane?" Zane cocked his head. "I'm an artist. I'm a geek." He felt Ty smile. "I am one badass motherfucker on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/who-are-you-zane-zane-cocked-his-head-i-m-an-artist-i-m-a-geek-he/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) > [“I refuse to live with any more evil cats. It’s him or me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-roux/i-refuse-to-live-with-any-more-evil-cats-it-s-him-or-me/) [Abigail Roux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-roux/) ## More by Shana Abé > [“I hate it here. I hate everyone here. I hate that I am so different. I love it here and I want to belong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/i-hate-it-here-i-hate-everyone-here-i-hate-that-i-am-so-different-i/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“How good to see you, Miss Jones.” That debonair tone, the friendly press of his hand upon mine. It was such a contrast to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/how-good-to-see-you-miss-jones-that-debonair-tone-the-friendly-press/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“You’re naught but a human man. You couldn’t possibly understand.” He lifted a brow, still smiling. “Liar.” “Cutpurse.” “Runaway.” “Swindler! “Coward,” he said softly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/you-re-naught-but-a-human-man-you-couldn-t-possibly-understand-he/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“He had a swift and utterly lucid vision of himself in this position in thirty-odd years. Loathsome tea, hot steam, silver spoon, and fifty-year-old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/he-had-a-swift-and-utterly-lucid-vision-of-himself-in-this-position/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“Why do you want to know?” The shrug again. “Just wondering.” “Really. You’ve skipped your lawn tennis or duck hunting or whiskey drinking or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/why-do-you-want-to-know-the-shrug-again-just-wondering-really-you-ve/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“She was too compelling to look at directly. Bright like the sun, bright and terrible. Only one other being could look upon her, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/she-was-too-compelling-to-look-at-directly-bright-like-the-sun-bright/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“You said I was pretty, before." "Did I?" A new laugh escaped him, mirthless. "How unoriginal. I must be the master of understatement. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/you-said-i-was-pretty-before-did-i-a-new-laugh-escaped-him-mirthless/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“I thought that ground fire couldn’t reach the zeppelins,” I said. “I thought that guns on the ground didn’t have the range.” “Eleanore. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/i-thought-that-ground-fire-couldn-t-reach-the-zeppelins-i-said-i/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“Something inside his chest unlocked--wildly, slowly, a peculiar sort of melting. He was lost. He was the thorn and the thistle, blown upon her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/something-inside-his-chest-unlocked-wildly-slowly-a-peculiar-sort-of/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“Right,” I said once more, because it sounded firm, and because Armand’s brittle desolation was beginning to eat at me. None of this, after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/right-i-said-once-more-because-it-sounded-firm-and-because-armand-s/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“She did what she could for him. She kissed him in return. She lost her breath and both her hearts, and finally Turned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/she-did-what-she-could-for-him-she-kissed-him-in-return-she-lost-her/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“Your Royal Grace, Forgive my boldness. If I might inquire: How old are you? —Kimber”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/your-royal-grace-forgive-my-boldness-if-i-might-inquire-how-old-are/) [Shana Abé](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“It is considered an honor to be…plucked from the crowd, so to speak. There are fine families in the district who have lived here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/it-is-considered-an-honor-to-be-plucked-from-the-crowd-so-to-speak/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“I think the word despair is much too small to encompass the magnitude of all it defines. For me, right then, despair meant that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/i-think-the-word-despair-is-much-too-small-to-encompass-the-magnitude/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) > [“It’s funny how your life can come apart in an instant. How you can feel safe and satisfied one moment, and the next you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-abe/it-s-funny-how-your-life-can-come-apart-in-an-instant-how-you-can/) [Shana Abe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) [Explore all 90 Shana Abé quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-abe/) ## More Itch quotes > [My problems are sort of more on a nuisance level. I can't stand scratchy clothes, I've got to have soft kinds of cotton against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/my-problems-are-sort-of-more-on-a-nuisance-level-i-can-t-stand/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [“...The devil had long ago taken a shine to Tert Card, filled him like a cream horn with itch and irritation. His middle name…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-annie-proulx-author/the-devil-had-long-ago-taken-a-shine-to-tert-card-filled-him-like-a/) E. Annie Proulx (Author > [After having played serious drama for so long, I needed to scratch the itch of versatility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-wyle/after-having-played-serious-drama-for-so-long-i-needed-to-scratch-the/) [Noah Wyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-wyle/) > [People often want the big dramatic works, not the smaller quieter ones, but I don't worry about how it fits together anymore; I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-parker/people-often-want-the-big-dramatic-works-not-the-smaller-quieter-ones/) [Cornelia Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-parker/) > [“I wear my underwear on the outside of my itch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-wear-my-underwear-on-the-outside-of-my-itch/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“My fingernail itches. I need to scratch it with my skin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/my-fingernail-itches-i-need-to-scratch-it-with-my-skin/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [As I ponder pass I tend to itch my noggin often rockin to a beat to crop my verse until my urn or coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/as-i-ponder-pass-i-tend-to-itch-my-noggin-often-rockin-to-a-beat-to/) C-DASH > [“I felt a queasy mixture of relief and horror: when you finally stop an itch and realize it’s because you’ve ripped a hole in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/i-felt-a-queasy-mixture-of-relief-and-horror-when-you-finally-stop-an/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [“As simple an act as reading or writing a sentence must be surrounded by perceptory nap and weave . . . an itch, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brin/as-simple-an-act-as-reading-or-writing-a-sentence-must-be-surrounded/) [David Brin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brin/) > [When I don’t understand, I have an unbearable itch to know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/when-i-don-t-understand-i-have-an-unbearable-itch-to-know-why/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [The itch of scribbling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/the-itch-of-scribbling/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [A burning itch to know is higher than a solemn vow to pursue truth. To feel the burning itch of curiosity requires both that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/a-burning-itch-to-know-is-higher-than-a-solemn-vow-to-pursue-truth-to/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrell-royal/we-live-one-day-at-a-time-and-scratch-where-it-itches/) [Darrell Royal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrell-royal/) > [“Being in a room with that many people was starting to make me itch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-anne-gilman/being-in-a-room-with-that-many-people-was-starting-to-make-me-itch/) [Laura Anne Gilman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-anne-gilman/) > [One learns to itch where one can scratch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-learns-to-itch-where-one-can-scratch/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 168 Itch quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It wasn't an itch. 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