More About Compulsions
The compulsions of OCD are purposeful behaviours or mental acts that are designed to reduce the distress of an obsession, or to prevent some feared event from occurring. While they are intentional acts, they don’t feel that way – they feel uncontrollable.
The link between obsessions & compulsions might not be obvious
Sometimes an obsessive and compulsive themes are easily linked. For instance, someone might wash their hands to prevent contamination, or check the door to prevent a break-in.
However, this is not always the case with OCD. The links might be less obvious. For example, someone may perform a washing ritual to make themselves feel more “pure” after having an unwanted sexual obsession, or count to a “safe” number to prevent harm coming to loved ones.
Anything can become a compulsion
Any behaviour can become a compulsion – even blinking or breathing or saying goodbye to others when you leave the house. These acts are a normal part of survival and everyday life which means that it is not the behaviour itself that is the problem, but the intention behind the behaviour. If we do these behaviours with the purposeful aim to reduce distress and/or prevent something feared from happening, it can turn into an OCD compulsion.
People with OCD know that the behaviours are irrational
One of the main features of OCD compulsions is that the person tends to understand that their behaviour is either unrealistic (e.g., repeating a “good” thought to prevent loved ones becoming ill), or excessive (e.g., checking a stove 30 times). This means that people with OCD can feel overwhelmed with doubt and shame because on the one hand, they know the behaviour isn’t helpful, but on the other hand, they can’t be sure and feel compelled to do it.
What about other compulsive behaviours?
While OCD compulsions can involve a sense of relief but not pleasure. The compulsive behaviours in substance abuse, and sexual disorders, involve pleasure. The acts are only resisted because of the possible harmful consequences.
In contrast to the compulsions of OCD, the compulsive movements in tic disorders are often involuntarily performed, or are not designed to reduce the impact of an obsession.
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Compulsions feel like they work in the short term... that's why people do them. Ultimately, they are not helpful and contribute to an OCD spiral. OCD can be a disabling condition if untreated.
Fortunately, there are a lot of treatment options that exist to help those with OCD to live a rich and fulfilling life.