What are compulsions in relation to anxiety and obsessions?

Compulsions are defined as repetitive, ritualistic behaviors that individuals feel driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. These behaviors are often aimed at preventing a feared event or situation or reducing the anxiety associated with obsessions, even if the connection between the compulsion and the feared event is not logically related. For example, a person with obsessive thoughts about contamination might engage in compulsive handwashing.

In understanding the concept of compulsions, it is crucial to recognize that they serve as a coping mechanism for managing anxiety provoked by intrusive thoughts or obsessions. While thought patterns and emotional responses may be involved in the experience of anxiety and obsessions, they do not accurately capture the behavioral aspect that defines compulsions. Additionally, while physical symptoms can arise in relation to anxiety (such as increased heart rate), they do not represent the specific ritualistic actions associated with compulsions. Thus, the defining characteristic of compulsions is their repetitive, ritualistic nature, aimed at alleviating anxiety linked to obsessive thoughts.