Compulsions

Definition

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform in order to reduce anxiety or prevent a dreaded event. They are a core feature of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, which involve intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and the urge to engage in behaviors (compulsions) to alleviate the distress caused by those thoughts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Compulsions are often performed in an attempt to alleviate the anxiety or distress caused by obsessive thoughts, but they ultimately provide only temporary relief and can become increasingly time-consuming and disruptive.
2. Common compulsions include excessive hand-washing, checking behaviors (e.g., repeatedly checking locks or appliances), ordering and arranging items, and mental rituals (e.g., repeating phrases or numbers).
3. Compulsions are often performed according to strict rules or patterns, and the person may feel a sense of urgency or anxiety if they are unable to complete the ritual.
4. Compulsions can significantly interfere with a person's daily life, relationships, and ability to function, and are often recognized by the individual as excessive or irrational.
5. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is considered the most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, as it helps individuals confront their fears and reduce the power of their compulsions.

Review Questions

• Describe the relationship between obsessions and compulsions in the context of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
  • Obsessions and compulsions are closely linked in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Obsessions are intrusive, distressing thoughts, images, or urges that the individual feels driven to alleviate through the performance of compulsions. Compulsions are the repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the individual feels compelled to engage in to reduce the anxiety or prevent a dreaded event caused by their obsessions. This cycle of obsessions and compulsions can become a self-reinforcing pattern that significantly interferes with the individual's daily life and functioning.
• Explain how Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy can be effective in treating compulsions associated with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.
  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy is considered the most effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders because it directly addresses the compulsions that are a core feature of these conditions. ERP involves gradually exposing the individual to the source of their obsessions, while preventing them from engaging in their compulsive behaviors. This process helps to reduce the power and influence of the obsessions over time, as the individual learns that they can tolerate the anxiety and distress without resorting to compulsive actions. By facing their fears and resisting the urge to perform compulsions, individuals with obsessive-compulsive and related disorders can break the cycle of obsessions and compulsions, leading to improved functioning and quality of life.
• Analyze how compulsions in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) differ from compulsions in other obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and discuss the implications for treatment.
  • While compulsions in obsessive-compulsive and related disorders are often focused on reducing anxiety or preventing a dreaded event, the compulsions in Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) are specifically centered on the individual's preoccupation with a perceived flaw in their physical appearance. Individuals with BDD may engage in excessive grooming, skin picking, or seeking cosmetic procedures in an attempt to 'fix' or hide the perceived imperfection. These compulsions are driven by the individual's obsessive thoughts about their appearance, rather than more generalized fears or intrusive thoughts. This distinction has implications for treatment, as therapies for BDD may need to address the individual's distorted body image and self-perception, in addition to the compulsive behaviors, in order to be effective. Addressing the root obsessions and underlying beliefs about appearance is crucial for breaking the cycle of compulsions in BDD.

Related terms

Obsessions: Obsessions are persistent and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant distress and anxiety. They are a key component of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): ERP is a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that involves gradually exposing a person to the source of their obsessions and preventing them from engaging in compulsive behaviors, in order to reduce the power of the obsessions and compulsions over time.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): BDD is a mental health condition characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with a perceived flaw in one's physical appearance, leading to compulsive behaviors such as excessive grooming, skin picking, or seeking cosmetic procedures.