It's got a name! I feel better already!

It seems the malady I suffer from is called research rapture.  This is defined as: A state of enthusiasm or exaltation arising from the exhaustive study of a topic or period of history; the delightful but dangerous condition of becoming repeatedly sidetracked in following intriguing threads of information, or constantly searching for one more elusive fact.  Otherwise known as addicted to looking things up.

I found this out from an opinion piece in the New York Times by Sean Pidgeon, a publisher of reference books.

Thanks to Tom for diagnosing me.