How are compulsions described?

Compulsions are characterized as repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. These behaviors are typically aimed at preventing or reducing anxiety or a feared event. For example, someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) might feel compelled to wash their hands repetitively after having obsessive thoughts about germs. The key aspect of compulsions is their direct connection to obsessions, where the former acts as a coping mechanism for the distressing thoughts associated with the latter.

The other descriptions do not accurately encapsulate the definition of compulsions within the context of psychological disorders. Obsessions are indeed intrusive thoughts that cause distress, but that pertains to a separate aspect of OCD. Developmentally inappropriate behaviors in children refer to actions that are not suitable for their age but do not specifically describe compulsions. Lastly, uncontrollable urges to hoard items relate to hoarding disorder, which is distinct from the compulsive behaviors seen in OCD. Understanding the precise nature of compulsions helps differentiate them from other psychological phenomena and underscores the need for targeted therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.