For years, compulsive behaviors have been viewed as bad habits stuck on autopilot. But new research in rats found the ...

The “repetition compulsion” is a basic concept in psychotherapy. The compulsion to repeat is particularly interesting because what is repeated is not pleasurable. On the contrary, it is usually a ...

New research suggests that compulsive behavior may be less about willpower failure and more about inflammation quietly disrupting the brain’s reward and habit circuits. While the idea of “hidden brain ...

Contamination OCD is a subtype, or “theme,” of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It includes persistent fear of contamination and an overwhelming need to clean oneself and objects. OCD involves ...

Compulsive behaviors are actions that are engaged in repeatedly and consistently, despite the fact that they are experienced as aversive or troubling. Yet treatment can help to manage or overcome ...

Rumination is a type of obsessive thinking that’s common across many types of OCD. If excessive rumination is starting to add stress to your life, therapy can help you learn to break the cycle. Have ...