Compulsions

Compulsions are irresistible, repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform, often in response to an obsession or to reduce anxiety. These actions are typically recognized as excessive or unreasonable by the person experiencing them, but they persist despite the individual's efforts to resist. compulsions can manifest in a wide variety of forms, impacting daily life and causing significant distress. They are a hallmark symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) but may also be present in other conditions.

Compulsions meaning with examples

• Sarah's fear of contamination led to a hand-washing compulsion. She'd wash her hands dozens of times a day, even when they weren't dirty, leading to raw, chapped skin. The urge to wash was overwhelming, triggered by intrusive thoughts about germs. This cycle controlled much of her time and caused significant anxiety. She knew it was excessive but found it almost impossible to stop without experiencing intense discomfort.
• John experienced a checking compulsion related to his stove. He constantly went back to recheck it, despite assurances it was off and the lack of any evidence suggesting a fire risk. This behavior disrupted his sleep, work, and social life. His anxiety levels surged each time he left home, driving him to return repeatedly, creating a debilitating and persistent cycle of anxious thought and repeated action.
• Maria’s counting compulsion involved meticulously counting the number of steps she took. This ritual occurred whenever she walked anywhere and had to fit to a multiple of five, as a way of attempting to feel safe, causing her to alter her planned routes and significantly slowing her down. This behavior began after she was feeling extreme stress at work. She was self aware that this was not normal.
• David’s mental compulsion consisted of repeatedly reciting specific phrases to neutralize negative thoughts. He was fixated on preventing harm to his family and spent a substantial amount of time internally repeating these phrases. This provided temporary relief but ultimately fueled his anxiety because he felt he must repeat these phrases over and over again throughout the day to feel safe.