Gems of My Crown ~ Fixed vs. Fixated

I've caught the fixed-fixated slip up quite a few times in books now, so I thought I'd help my folks out with a bit of an explanation and clarification of the usage of the two terms.

Fixed

The term fixed describes something that has been established and is not usually subject to change. It implies stability and permanence and conveys a sense of security and reliability. It can refer to physical objects, plans, or conditions. This term would be used to describe physical items, such as one's eyes being "fixed" on another person.

Fixated

The word fixated describes an intense or obsessive focus or concentration on a particular subject or idea. This word is used is psychological or emotional contexts, indicating an unhealthy or obsessive attachment to a thought, person, or idea. It carries a connotation of an inability to move on from a particular thought or focus. In short, being fixated on something is a purely mental/emotional state.

While they share root words, the meanings of these two words diverge significantly in terms of contextual and emotional implications, and though it may be tempting to do so, they should not be used interchangeably.