compulsivity
Can't help it
Compulsivity is the tendency to perform actions repeatedly and often irrationally, driven by an internal urge rather than conscious choice.
It differs from impulsivity in that compulsive behaviors are typically deliberate responses to anxiety or discomfort, not spontaneous acts.
The term appears frequently in clinical contexts describing conditions like OCD, addiction, and eating disorders.
Her compulsivity around checking locks made leaving the house a lengthy ordeal.
Persistent mental attachment
- preoccupationAbsorbing mental focus
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- intrusive thoughtsInvoluntary disturbing mental content
- overthinkingDwelling excessively on thoughts
perseveration · hyperfocus · dwelling · monomania · mental ritual · checking · counting · unwanted thoughts
Not under conscious control
- irresistibleImpossible to withstand
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- automaticOperating without intervention
- overpoweringToo intense to withstand
uncontrollable · compelled · unbidden · unwilled · habitual · incessant · repetitive · ritualistic
Compulsive repetition disorder
- disorderAbsence of organization
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- treatmentCare for an ailment
- therapyCurative mental treatment
CBT · ERP · SSRI · psychiatry · diagnosis · DSM · symptom · comorbidity
State of needing another
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- substance abuseHarmful habitual intoxicant use
- gamblingBetting on uncertain results
bingeing · relapse · tolerance · rehabilitation · recovery · behavioral addiction · shopping addiction · pornography
Acting without considering consequences
- urgeStrong inner drive
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
- snap decisionInstant, unreflective determination
knee-jerk · impetuousness · recklessness · disinhibition · acting out · hair-trigger · gut reaction · unpremeditated
fixation
Persistent mental attachment
- preoccupationAbsorbing mental focus
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- intrusive thoughtsInvoluntary disturbing mental content
overthinking · perseveration · hyperfocus · dwelling · monomania · mental ritual · checking · counting · unwanted thoughts · obsessiveness
involuntary
Not under conscious control
- irresistibleImpossible to withstand
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- automaticOperating without intervention
overpowering · uncontrollable · compelled · unbidden · unwilled · habitual · incessant · repetitive · ritualistic · loss of control
OCD
Compulsive repetition disorder
therapy · CBT · ERP · SSRI · psychiatry · diagnosis · DSM · symptom · comorbidity · trichotillomania
dependence
State of needing another
- cravingPowerful urge to have
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- substance abuseHarmful habitual intoxicant use
gambling · bingeing · relapse · tolerance · rehabilitation · recovery · behavioral addiction · shopping addiction · pornography · gaming disorder
impulsivity
Acting without considering consequences
- urgeStrong inner drive
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- reflexInvoluntary stimulus response
snap decision · knee-jerk · impetuousness · recklessness · disinhibition · acting out · hair-trigger · gut reaction · unpremeditated · spur-of-the-moment
compulsivityspontaneity
Acting without forethought
deliberateness · free will · self-determination · intentionality · agency
compulsivityflexibility
Ability to adapt easily
adaptability · spontaneousness · casualness · looseness · ease
compulsivityimpulsivity
Acting without considering consequences
impulsiveness · disinhibition · recklessness · carelessness · heedlessness
impulse, compel, impulsive, compulsory, compulsion, compulsive, impulsion, compulsively, compulsions