What Are Compulsions?

compulsions are “usually intended to produce, or to prevent, some event or situation” (Silva & Rachman, 2012). Most compulsions are harmless, but others are more serious, and meant to harm others. As noted by researchers, compulsions are generally performed to ease some kind of anxiety. Compulsions can also be considered “rituals.” Understanding these two components helps to show why the current emphasis on drug therapy combined with psychotherapy is a strong direction.
So it takes both compulsions and obsessions for a patient to be diagnosed with OCD, as both usually occur in unison, and are often the result of underlying issues. According to Rachmen (1976), “obsessions usually cause compulsions [and] … provide the mental fuel for the physical