Compulsive behavior

Compulsive behavior (or compulsion) is defined as performing an action persistently and repetitively. Compulsive behaviors could be an attempt to make obsessions go away. Compulsive behaviors are a need to reduce apprehension caused by internal feelings a person wants to abstain from or control. A major cause of compulsive behavior is obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). "Compulsive behavior is when someone keeps doing the same action because they feel like they have to, even though they know these actions do not align with their goals." An individual may perform certain actions in an attempt to prevent or reduce anxiety, uncertainty, or negative consequences. The elements that make a behavior compulsive is when one feels the need to do an action, cannot stop themselves from doing that action, and being aware that these actions go against their goals. These actions are done in a habitual and repetitive manner with a specific pattern. There are many different types of compulsive behaviors including shopping, hoarding, eating, gambling, trichotillomania and picking skin, itching, checking, counting, washing, sex, scrupulosity and more.