Compulsion

Unlike habits, which are automatic and often useful responses to situations, compulsions are distress-driven behaviors performed to alleviate stress, even when they are inappropriate or irrational for the situation at hand. An individual may complete a compulsive task to relieve stress, and the action may not be a response to a situation that calls for it. For example, it's not a compulsion if someone washes their hands a few times because they touched an unclean surface. In contrast, a person with a compulsive disorder may wash their hands repeatedly because they physically can’t stop themselves. 

The following may be some common signs of compulsions:

• Checking the body for signs of illness, checking work for errors, locking doors, or checking that appliances are off repeatedly
• Washing or cleaning the home, office, or any other place you spend time again when it's already clean
• Listing, counting, or visualizing positive images to counteract negative images, repeating a specific prayer, or saying a lucky phrase to counteract anxious feelings or ideas
• Picking at the skin or pulling out hair
• Cleaning parts of the body repeatedly when they’re already clean
• Spending time arranging objects to face a particular direction or create a certain pattern
• Asking for reassurance from friends or family members multiple times regarding an obsessive thought that may become a reality
• Touching objects or your own body in a series of repeated patterns

Compulsive behaviors tend to stem from wanting to end obsessive thoughts and relieve feelings of stress or other negative emotions. In many cases, people are aware that their compulsive behaviors are irrational, but they still feel bound to carry them out to prevent something negative from happening.

There are several common compulsive behaviors. Almost any behavior may become a compulsion, but these tend to be the more common behaviors:

• Shopping: This can be classified as a compulsion if an individual continues to purchase items whether they need them or not, and to a point where it causes financial challenges. 
• Eating: A person may eat food while feeling unable to control how much they’re eating. 
• Gambling: An individual’s gambling may lead to distress and interference in relationships, finances, and daily living. 
• Hoarding: An individual may feel intense distress about getting rid of any possessions. They may collect items to the point of creating an unsafe living environment and damaging relationships with loved ones.  
• Sexual activity: Also known as hypersexuality, a sex compulsion can cause distress when a person feels unable to control sexual urges and impulses. This can include behaviors such as non-consensual touching, sending sexually explicit texts to unwilling participants, or periods of impulsive, random, unsafe, or unprotected sex with strangers or acquaintances. 
• Exercise: While exercise may be considered beneficial for the human body, working out can become a compulsion. It might become a priority over all other duties, activities, and relationships and may result in injury or chronic fatigue. 
• Gaming: A person who experiences gaming compulsion may play video games to the point where they avoid activities of daily living and damage relationships.

When it comes to compulsion, many people think immediately of OCD. While compulsion is a part of this mental health condition, experiencing compulsions does not always point to this diagnosis. Many people may experience compulsive behavior for brief periods, which won’t always lead to a diagnosis. 

Others may experience compulsive behavior as a result of a traumatic experience or as a symptom of other mental health conditions. For example:

• Compulsive eating or exercise may be signs of an eating disorder.
• An illness anxiety disorder may trigger compulsive checking behaviors as the individual looks for signs of illness in the body.
• Obsessive jealousy can prompt an individual to check up on a partner’s activities compulsively, or they may invade their space.
• Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) can cause a person to touch or groom themselves to a point where it causes hair-pulling³ or skin-picking⁴ disorders.
• Intrusive or obsessive thoughts in those who experience anxiety or depression can lead to compulsive behaviors.

If any compulsive behavior becomes harmful to the individual or others, interferes with their day-to-day life, or damages relationships, seeking help from a medical or mental health care professional may be beneficial.

Medications

In some cases of compulsive behavior related to OCD, a medical professional may prescribe certain medications to help manage symptoms, most commonly antidepressants or in more resistant cases antipsychotic medications. 

It is important to consult with a doctor or medical professional before beginning or changing any medication plan. The information provided in this article is not intended as medical advice; please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.

Therapists who use specialized treatment modalities like CBT or ERP can be challenging to find in some geographical areas. Online therapy may be one way that addresses this disparity, offering anyone who has an internet connection the opportunity to see a therapist that fits their needs. With online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you can get matched with the right therapist for you and then meet via video conferencing, text, or phone.