compulsive behaviour
Can't help it
Compulsive behaviour is action driven by an irresistible urge rather than conscious choice—repeated despite negative consequences or the person's own wishes to stop.
The behaviour temporarily relieves anxiety but doesn't bring genuine satisfaction: compulsive hand-washing, compulsive checking of locks.
Distinguished from impulsive behaviour, which is spontaneous; compulsive behaviour follows rigid patterns the person feels powerless to break.
Also spelled compulsive behavior.
Strong inner drive
- impulseSudden urge to act
- irresistibleImpossible to withstand
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
- overwhelmingIntensely excessive in force
driven · unmanageable · automatic · unwanted · intrusive · unstoppable · powerlessness
Ceremonial set of actions
- ticsInvoluntary repetitive movements
- checkingAct of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
- hoardingExcessive accumulation of goods
hand-washing · cleaning · ordering · arranging · symmetry · grooming · tapping · repeating
Persistent mental attachment
- preoccupationAbsorbing mental focus
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
obsession · monomania · scrupulosity · doubt · superstitious
Powerful urge to have
- dependenceState of needing another
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- relapseReturn to former illness
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
bingeing · gambling · alcoholism · smoking · enabler · intervention · recovery · rehabilitation
Troubled mental state
- fearEmotional response to threat
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
tension · apprehension · hypervigilance · catastrophizing · avoidance · rumination · nervousness · unease
Regular sequence of actions
- ingrainedFirmly established by habit
- automaticOperating without intervention
- patternedHaving repeated decorative designs
- chronicPersisting over time
persistent · entrenched · deep-seated · conditioned · learned · reinforced · engrained · unconscious
urge
Strong inner drive
- impulseSudden urge to act
- irresistibleImpossible to withstand
- involuntaryNot under conscious control
overwhelming · driven · unmanageable · automatic · unwanted · intrusive · unstoppable · powerlessness
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- ticsInvoluntary repetitive movements
- checkingAct of verification
- countingDetermining quantity sequentially
hoarding · hand-washing · cleaning · ordering · arranging · symmetry · grooming · tapping · repeating · hair-pulling
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- preoccupationAbsorbing mental focus
- perfectionismCompulsive pursuit of flawlessness
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
rumination · obsession · monomania · scrupulosity · doubt · superstitious
craving
Powerful urge to have
- dependenceState of needing another
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- relapseReturn to former illness
tolerance · bingeing · gambling · alcoholism · smoking · enabler · intervention · recovery · rehabilitation · detoxification
worry
Troubled mental state
stress · tension · apprehension · hypervigilance · catastrophizing · avoidance · rumination · nervousness · unease · restlessness
routine
Regular sequence of actions
- ingrainedFirmly established by habit
- automaticOperating without intervention
- patternedHaving repeated decorative designs
chronic · persistent · entrenched · deep-seated · conditioned · learned · reinforced · engrained · unconscious
compulsive behaviourself-control
Ability to restrain impulses
restraint · moderation · self-discipline · temperance · impulse control
compulsive, behaviour, compel, compelled, compelling, compellingly, compulsion, compulsively, compulsiveness