Compulsionrelated

Compulsion-related is a term used to describe phenomena characterized by compulsions—repetitive, ritualized behaviors or mental acts performed in response to an urge or distress. It is not a formal diagnostic category in major manuals, but a descriptive label used in clinical practice and research to capture behaviors associated with obsessive-compulsive spectrum conditions.

Compulsions are typically performed to reduce anxiety or prevent feared outcomes and are distinct from obsessions, which are intrusive thoughts or impulses.

The term is most commonly linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) in DSM-5, which include body-focused repetitive behaviors such as trichotillomania and excoriation.

Compulsion-related symptoms can also occur in anxiety disorders, tic disorders, and some neurodevelopmental or mood disorders. They may vary in frequency, intensity, awareness, and impact on functioning.

Assessment relies on clinical interview and standardized scales measuring frequency, duration, triggers, and distress. Treatments with the strongest evidence include exposure and response prevention (ERP) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); combinations and personalized approaches are common.

In research, compulsion-related constructs help study mechanisms such as habit formation, cognitive control, and compulsivity across disorders.

See also obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.