General information about compulsions and obsessions
From time to time we can all succumb to a compulsion or two and some of us may become obsessed with something for a short while, that's just human nature. But in some, these issues become more serious and start to take over ones life and then there may be a problem. When this happens it is termed as an Obsessional or Compulsive disorders. To understand this issue we need to look at the difference between the two:Obsessions
These are thoughts, pictures or impulses, which are usually unpleasant and come into mind when we don't want them. Many things can trigger these obsessions, and they usually leave the person feeling very anxious, uncomfortable or frightened. One might be Obsessional about having a clean gleaming car because the thought of it being dirty is unpleasant. These thoughts might dominate the mind and those with a streak of perfectionism may sooner succumb to Obsessional behaviours. Examples might be:- Constant worrying
- Absurd personal rituals
- Repeated hand washing
- Overly concerned about health related issues
- Checking rituals
- Counting rituals
Compulsions
Behaviours performed in order to 'put right' the obsession. In our car example: going out to clean it feeds the obsession. There is always a reward or satisfaction in the compulsion being completed, however short term.There can often be a guilt complex attached to the fulfilment of a compulsion. Compulsive behaviours include:
Research tells us that everyone has odd or distressing thoughts and pictures cropping up in their mind from time to time. Most people dismiss these as meaningless. However, those who feel most guilty, distressed or disturbed by the thoughts may involuntarily bring back these thoughts into their mind because of this distress.
Hypnoanalysis is a proven permanent relief for Obsessions, Compulsions, anxieties and phobias.
