Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide
Compulsions
DEFINITION
A compulsion is a repetitive behavior or mental act, typically excessive, that the person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession or according to specific rules, despite recognizing that it is unlikely to prevent a dreaded event.
A compulsion can involve diverse behaviors, including:
- Cleaning or washing
- Checking
- Repeating
- Counting
- Ordering/arranging
- Hoarding
- Seeking constant reassurance
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Last updated: July 1, 2017
Citation
Nestadt, Paul, and Gerald Nestadt. "Compulsions." Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide, 2017. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787160/all/Compulsions.
Nestadt P, Nestadt G. Compulsions. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. 2017. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787160/all/Compulsions. Accessed September 25, 2023.
Nestadt, P., & Nestadt, G. (2017). Compulsions. In Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787160/all/Compulsions
Nestadt P, Nestadt G. Compulsions [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. ; 2017. [cited 2023 September 25]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_Psychiatry_Guide/787160/all/Compulsions.
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