Compulsies

Compulsies is not an officially recognized medical or psychological diagnosis, but a term that has appeared in various contexts. In general usage, Compulsies may refer to people who experience intense, intrusive urges to perform repetitive actions, or to a population in which such compulsions are a defining feature. The term is more commonly found in fictional or speculative settings but has also circulated in online discussions about compulsive disorders.

The etymology traces to compulsion plus the -ies suffix used to form demonyms or group labels. The earliest prominent uses appear in 21st-century fiction and fan communities, where Compulsies may be depicted as a society of individuals bound by ritualized behaviors. In clinical contexts, the phenomena associated with Compulsies align with known conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), impulse-control disorders, or body-focused repetitive behaviors, though Compulsies is not a formal diagnostic label.

Characteristics commonly described include recurrent, intrusive urges, anxiety if the urges are resisted, and time-consuming rituals that aim to reduce distress. Distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other domains distinguishes clinically significant compulsions from harmless habits. Causes are not fully understood but are thought to involve genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors. Comorbidity with anxiety, mood disorders, or tic-related disorders is not uncommon.

In formal medicine there is no diagnosis called Compulsies. Evaluation follows guidelines used for OCD or related disorders. Treatments are evidence-based and may include cognitive-behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention (ERP), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or other medications; support groups and psychoeducation can be beneficial.

In culture, the term often appears in fiction, cyberpunk, and game worlds as a plot device or social construct to explore issues of control, conformity, and autonomy.