Compulsion, addiction, or impulse control problems: whether you have obsessive-compulsive disorder. compulsive behavior. What is it and how to avoid it? Expressive compulsive disorder

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With the development of knowledge about the human psyche, people began to think more often about what part of their behavior is the norm and what is not. For example, psychologists have become interested in such a phenomenon as compulsion. What it is, how it manifests itself and whether it is dangerous to health are natural questions of behavioral science.

Types of compulsions

Sometimes in everyday life we do not pay attention to some actions we do automatically. We return home to make sure that we turned off the kettle or iron, with a tenacity worthy of a better application, we rub off barely noticeable spots on the tile or paint every minute every day and strictly follow the established routine.

In itself, such behavior is easily explainable and acceptable in society. In some cases, it turns into a mania.

Compulsive behavior is characterized the following manifestations:

A person performs monotonous actions and cannot stop;
Willpower does not help, as a result, discomfort and unpleasant consequences are felt, including for people around;
For a while there is relief, but then there is a feeling of guilt.

Due to the fact that the causes of compulsions vary in degree of complexity, there are several types of compulsions:

Temporary. They occur against the background of nervous overwork and quickly disappear after complete relaxation.
Periodic. Tied to the flow of more complex processes in the human psyche.
Chronic. They are always present in human behavior.

Symptoms: when is it time to run to the doctor?

As mentioned above, compulsions in human behavior can manifest themselves in the most intricate ways, sometimes indistinguishable from normal ones. At the initial stage of the condition, only the patient himself feels from the inside that something is wrong.

The most common obsessive behavior patterns are divided into several varieties:

Harmless. People hoard things and cannot throw away the excess, constantly returning home to check the disconnected water, electricity or locked lock. Many count all objects or phenomena around. Fundamentally step over cracks in the asphalt or tile joints. Obsessed with cleaning the house. Shopaholism is common among women (about 80%).
harmful to health. They involuntarily scratch the skin, tear out tufts of hair, cut themselves, squeeze out pimples. Some wash their hands and body until bloody footprints. Eating uncontrollably or starving.
Manic. They are fond of gambling. Kleptomaniacs, nymphomaniacs and hypersexual people.

At the heart of all processes is one problem - man can't stop is in a state of anxiety. At the same time, he does not get pleasure from compulsive repetitions, but he feels guilty, feels that he is wasting time in vain.

It would seem that such "quirks" are quite common and do not require the intervention of a specialist. However, these symptoms often indicate a developing disease that is treated with medication.

Reasons for compulsions

Behind any obsession, that is, the obsession with any action, lies a repressed desire, emotion or memory. When the human psyche fails to suppress the undesirable, it replaces the real source of anxiety with something simpler.

In fact, it is a defense mechanism of our subconscious. Most often, it occurs against the background of overwork, stress or a nervous breakdown.

It can also be caused by a traumatic event, such as illness or death, failures in work and personal areas, experienced intense fear. In cases where the tension is temporary, the psyche quickly recovers after a short rest.

In addition to external causes, compulsive actions can be caused by one of the personality disorder syndromes: obsessive-compulsive or anancaste. These conditions are chronic, they can manifest themselves both periodically and be present in the model of human behavior all the time.

Emotional overeating

One of the most common cases of compulsions among girls is eating disorders. Young women are obsessed with how they look, strive to lose weight, and are also constantly stressed by the inadequacy of modern beauty standards.

There are two standard patterns of compulsive behavior regarding food:

The patient does not eat anything, brings the body to exhaustion and anorexia.
The patient starves himself, but then pounces on food and eats more than the body needs. Then comes the feeling of shame and helplessness. In the case of bulimia, the person deliberately induces vomiting.

All of these behaviors are associated with obsession - an obsessive thought that causes people to uncontrollably follow internal impulses, harm themselves.

How to get rid of compulsions?

Depending on the nature and duration of the disease, there are several ways to solve the problem:

Let it be as it is. Not all compulsion is harmful, sometimes it helps to relax and relieve stress. For example, cleanliness or scheduling. If such a ritual helps you put your thoughts in order, get distracted, then you should not refuse it.
Give yourself a good rest or change your lifestyle. If the cause of compulsive behavior was a nervous breakdown, then a period of rest or a transition to a healthier regimen can help the psyche bounce back.
Contact a specialist. In advanced cases of a long-term illness, you can not do without the help of a doctor. The psychiatrist prescribes medication in the event that attacks of uncontrolled behavior pose a threat to your health and those around you, it manifests itself regularly for six months.

Sometimes our psyche finds very bizarre ways to release forbidden thoughts and desires in such manifestations as, for example, compulsion. What this behavior gives a person, whether it is always necessary to treat the symptoms of pathological diseases of the mind are controversial questions that modern psychology has yet to answer.

Don't part with hand sanitizer? Is your wardrobe sorted out? Such habits may be a reflection of a person's character or beliefs. Sometimes they cross an invisible line and turn into obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Consider the main causes of their appearance and the methods of treatment offered by doctors.

Description of the disease

OCD is a mental disorder that affects a person's quality of life. Experts classify it as a phobia. If the latter include only obsessions, then compulsions are added to OCD.

The name of the disease comes from two English words: obsessio and compulsion. The first means "obsession with an idea", and the second can be interpreted as "compulsion". These two words are well chosen, succinctly, because they reflect the whole essence of the disease. People with OCD are considered disabled in some countries. Most of them spend a lot of time pointlessly due to compulsions. Obsessions are often expressed as phobias, which also negatively affects the patient's quality of life.

How the disease begins

According to medical statistics, obsessive-compulsive disorder develops between 10 and 30 years of age. Regardless of when exactly its first symptoms appeared, patients go to the doctor between 27 and 35 years. This means that several years pass from the moment the disease develops to the start of treatment. One in three adults suffer from obsessive-compulsive personality disorder. There are far fewer small children among patients. This diagnosis is confirmed in every second child out of 500.

At the initial stage, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of obsessive-compulsive states and various phobias. During this period, a person can still be aware of their irrationality. Over time, in the absence of medical and psychological assistance, the disorder worsens. The patient loses the ability to adequately evaluate his fears. In advanced cases, treatment involves hospitalization with the use of serious medications.

Main reasons

Scientists still cannot list the main factors contributing to the onset of mental illness. However, there are many theories. According to one of them, among the biological factors, obsessive-compulsive disorder has the following causes:

metabolic disorder;
head injuries and injuries;
hereditary predisposition;
complicated course of infectious diseases;
deviations at the level of the autonomic nervous system.

In a separate group, doctors suggest adding social causes of the disorder. Among them, the most common are the following:

upbringing in a strict religious family;
At work;
frequent stress.

Inherent in this mental illness may be based on personal experience or imposed by society. A striking example of the consequences of such a disorder is the viewing of crime news. A person tries to overcome the fears that have appeared by actions that convince of the opposite. He can double-check a closed car several times or count banknotes from a bank. Such actions bring only short-term relief. Getting rid of yourself is unlikely to succeed. In this case, the help of a specialist is required. Otherwise, the disease will completely absorb the human psyche.

This disease affects both adults and children. However, children are less likely to suffer from its manifestations. Symptoms of the disorder may vary depending on the age of the patient.

How does the disease manifest itself in adults?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, the symptoms of which will be presented to your attention below, in all adults has approximately the same clinical picture. First of all, the disease manifests itself in the form of obsessive painful thoughts. These may include fantasies of sexual abuse or death. A person is constantly haunted by the idea of imminent death, loss of financial well-being. Such thoughts terrify the OCD sufferer. He clearly understands their groundlessness. However, he cannot independently cope with fears and superstitions that all his fantasies will one day come true.

The disorder also has external symptoms, which are expressed in the form of repetitive movements. For example, such a person can constantly count the steps, several times a day go to wash his hands. Symptoms of the disease are often noted by colleagues and colleagues. People with OCD always have a perfect order on the table, with all items arranged symmetrically. Books on the shelves are either alphabetically or by color.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by a tendency to grow in crowded places. The patient, even in a crowd, may have increased panic attacks. Most often they are caused by the fear of catching a dangerous virus or losing personal belongings, becoming another victim of pickpockets. Therefore, such people tend to avoid public places.

Sometimes the syndrome is accompanied by a decrease in self-esteem. OCD is a disorder that is especially susceptible to suspicious individuals. They have a habit of controlling everything, from work at work to the diet of pets. The decrease in self-esteem occurs due to the awareness of the ongoing changes and the inability to fight them.

Symptoms in children

OCD is less common in young patients than in adults. The symptoms of the disorder have much in common. Let's look at a few examples.

Even sufficiently grown children are often haunted by the fear of getting lost among a large number of people on the street. He makes the children hold their parents tightly by the hand, periodically check whether the fingers are tightly clasped.
Older brothers and sisters scare many kids by sending them to an orphanage. Fear of being in this institution makes the child constantly ask again if his parents love him.
Almost all of us have lost personal belongings at least once in our lives. However, not everyone's feelings about this go unnoticed. Panic over a lost notebook often leads to a manic count of school supplies. Teenagers may even wake up at night to double-check all personal belongings.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children is often accompanied by a bad mood, gloom, and increased tearfulness. Some lose their appetite, others are tormented by terrible nightmares at night. If, within a few weeks, all attempts by parents to help the child turn out to be unsuccessful, consultation with a child psychologist is needed.

Diagnostic methods

If symptoms suggestive of anxiety obsessive-compulsive disorder appear, seek help from a mental health professional. Often people with OCD are unaware of their problems. In this case, close relatives or friends should very carefully hint at this diagnosis. By itself, this disease does not go away.

Its diagnosis can only be done by a psychiatrist who has the appropriate qualifications and experience in this field. Usually the doctor pays attention to three things:

A person has pronounced obsessive obsessions.
There is a compulsive behavior that he wishes to hide in any way.
OCD interferes with the usual rhythm of life, communication with friends and work.

Symptoms of a disease must recur on at least 50% of days within two weeks to be of medical significance.

There are special rating scales (for example, Yale-Brown) to determine the severity of OCD. They are also used in practice to track the dynamics of the therapy.

Based on the tests performed and the conversation with the patient, the doctor can confirm the final diagnosis. Usually, at a consultation, psychotherapists explain what obsessive-compulsive disorder is and what manifestations it has. Examples of patients with this disease from show business help to understand that the disease is not so dangerous, it needs to be fought. Also at the consultation, the doctor talks about the tactics of treatment, when you should expect the first positive results.

Can a person help himself?

OCD is a fairly common pathology. It can periodically occur in any person, including an absolutely healthy mentally. It is very important to be able to recognize the first symptoms of the disorder and seek qualified help. If this is not possible, you should try to analyze the problem and choose a specific tactic to deal with it. Doctors offer several options for self-treatment.

Step 1: Learn what an obsessive disorder is. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is described in detail in the specialized literature. Therefore, anyone can easily find out its main causes and signs. After studying the information, it is necessary to write out all the symptoms that have recently caused concern. Opposite each disorder, you need to leave a place for drawing up a detailed plan for how it can be overcome.

Step 2. Third party help. If you suspect OCD, it is best to contact a qualified professional. Sometimes the first visit to the doctor is difficult. In such a situation, you can ask a friend or relative to confirm the previously prescribed symptoms or add others.

Step 3. Look your fears in the eye. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder usually understand that all fears are fiction. Every time you have the urge to double-check a locked door or wash your hands, you need to remind yourself of this fact.

Step 4: Reward yourself. Psychologists advise constantly marking steps on the path to success, even the smallest ones. Praise yourself for the changes you have made and the skills you have gained.

Methods of psychotherapy

OCD is not a sentence. The disorder responds well to treatment with the help of psychotherapeutic sessions. Modern psychology offers several effective methods. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

The authorship of this technique belongs to Jeffrey Schwartz. Its essence is reduced to resistance to neurosis. A person is first aware of the presence of a disorder, and then gradually tries to deal with it. Therapy involves the acquisition of skills that allow you to stop obsessions on your own.
Method "Stop thought". Designed by Joseph Wolpe. The psychotherapist suggested treatment based on the assessment of the situation by the patient. To do this, Wolpe recommends that the person remember one of the recent bouts of frustration. He uses leading questions to help the patient assess the significance of the symptoms and their impact on daily life. The therapist gradually leads to the realization of the unreality of fears. This technique allows you to completely overcome the disorder.

These techniques of therapeutic impact are not the only ones of their kind. However, they are considered the most effective.

Medical treatment

In advanced cases of obsessive compulsive disorder, medical intervention is required. How to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder in this case? The main drugs to combat the disease are serotonin reuptake inhibitors:

Fluvoxamine.
Tricyclic antidepressants.
Paroxetine.

Scientists from around the world continue to actively study obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). Relatively recently, they were able to discover therapeutic possibilities in agents that are responsible for the release of the neurotransmitter glutamate. They can significantly mitigate the manifestations of neurosis, but do not help get rid of the problem forever. The following drugs fit this description: Memantine (Riluzole), Lamotrigine (Gabapentin).

All well-known antidepressants in this disorder are used only as a means. With their help, neurosis and stressful tension that occur against the background of obsessive-compulsive disorders can be eliminated.

It should be noted that the medicines listed in the article are dispensed from pharmacies only by prescription. The choice of a specific medication for treatment is carried out by the doctor, taking into account the patient's condition. Not the last role in this matter is played by the duration of the syndrome. Therefore, the doctor should know how long ago obsessive-compulsive disorder appeared.

Treatment at home

OCD belongs to the group of mental illnesses. Therefore, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cure the disorder without third-party support. However, therapy with folk remedies always helps to calm down. To this end, healers are advised to prepare herbal decoctions with sedative properties. These include the following plants: lemon balm, motherwort, valerian.

The method of breathing exercises cannot be considered folk, but it can be successfully used at home. This treatment does not require a prescription or outside specialist support. Therapy by changing the strength of breathing allows you to restore the emotional state. As a result, a person can soberly evaluate everything that happens in his life.

Rehabilitation

After the course of treatment, the patient needs social rehabilitation. Only in the case of successful adaptation in society, the symptoms of the disorder will not return again. Supportive therapeutic measures are aimed at teaching productive contact with society and relatives. At the stage of rehabilitation, the help of relatives and friends is of paramount importance.

Surely, most adults can remember at least one episode in their lives when, for unknown reasons, they frantically bit their nails, nervously fiddled with a coupon in their hands, or drew endless circles on paper and could not stop. Such actions in psychiatry are classified as obsessive (or compulsive). Their appearance does not always indicate psychological problems. Sometimes, in this way, a person simply relieves nervous strain or stress. But there are situations when obsessive actions are a sign of serious mental disorders, when professional treatment is indispensable. How to distinguish simple obsessions from pathology? And how to get rid of them?

The concept of compulsion

What is a compulsion? These are repetitive compulsive actions or behaviors that don't really matter. But the person who performs them sees a special meaning in them and feels a persistent desire to perform them. For the most part, compulsive behavior reduces anxiety levels, shifting attention away from worrying thoughts and fears. Compulsion can be a sign that the person is simply very nervous at the moment, for example, at an exam or before a speech. Therefore, in order to switch consciousness and relieve nervousness, he shakes his leg, taps his fingernail on the table, or draws dashes. Such a compulsion can happen to any healthy person. However, in some situations, compulsive behavior manifests itself as one of the symptoms of a mental disorder. If obsessive actions are part of a person's daily life, cause him suffering, but he is unable to get rid of them on his own, in such situations, a diagnosis of obsessive movement neurosis is made. The vast majority of people in this state are aware of the absurdity of compulsions, experience them as something alien and alien to them, want to resist them with all their hearts, but inner anxiety does not allow this.

Reasons for compulsions

What is the nature of compulsive actions? Of course, for each individual, the syndrome of obsessive movements has its own causes, but among the most significant factors influencing the development of compulsions, the following can be distinguished:

sociological;
psychological;
biological.

From the point of view of psychology, obsessions can be the result of an accentuated character or the predominance of so-called anancaste personality traits in a person: stubbornness, a tendency to perfectionism and doubt, great attention to detail. Compulsive disorder can also develop after experiencing psychologically traumatic events, acute stress, depression. Supporters of psychoanalytic theory argue that the roots of obsessions should be sought in a person's sexual life, such actions are a reflection of unconscious ideas and motives. It is believed that with the help of compulsions, a person is protected from danger and fights temptations. Sociological factors include an inadequate reaction of a person to non-standard situations, as well as education in strictness or with a religious bias. Compulsive movement neurosis can have a biological basis: a severe infectious disease, malfunctions of neurotransmitter systems, genetic disorders, features of the functioning of the brain, epilepsy and other diseases that cause damage to brain tissues, as well as perinatal trauma.

What are compulsions?

The compulsive syndrome in each individual case manifests itself in different ways, but all compulsions can be divided into two large groups:

compulsive actions;
obsessive rituals.

What is the difference between them? Simple actions are performed by a person "on the machine", unconsciously, but with an effort of will they can be stopped, taken under control. True, as soon as a person is distracted by something, compulsive actions return. The most common movements in adults and children are rubbing the palms, nose, chin and other parts of the face, the habit of fiddling with clothing items, snapping fingers, biting lips, nails. Obsessive movements also include rearranging glasses, spoons, plates, tapping with a pen or pencil on the table, drawing repeating figures on paper, twisting curls around a finger, and other similar actions.

Rituals, on the other hand, are complex and lengthy, and are most often driven by anxiety, fear, or obsessions (obsessive thoughts). Such rituals, even if they seem rational and meaningful, cause suffering to a person, because it is extremely difficult to get rid of them. The most common compulsive behaviors with rituals involve bookkeeping, tidying up, safety, eating, and cleaning. For example, compulsive movement neurosis may be accompanied by strict adherence to daily routines, compulsive washing of dishes or hands, overeating, counting surrounding objects, endlessly checking locks or electrical appliances.

If a person has both obsessions and compulsions, such a neurotic disorder is called obsessive-compulsive disorder (ICD-10 code F42).

Features of the manifestation of obsessions

Initially harmless compulsive symptoms can become more complex, long-lasting, and cause real problems that are not so easy to get rid of. The syndrome of obsessive movements in adults and children can act as an independent neurotic disorder, or it can manifest itself as one of the symptoms of a neurosis, a nervous tic, a disorder in general development, or another disease. A psychotherapist diagnoses obsessive-compulsive disorder if the patient has both obsessions and compulsions at the same time. In this case, obsessive movements are for the patient a defense against imaginary danger. In addition, he has vegetative anxiety symptoms, mental stress, a painful condition, and symptoms of depression often appear. If it is compulsive rituals that predominate in adults, and obsessive thoughts are not so painful, then a compulsive disorder is diagnosed (ICD-10 code F42.1).

Obsessive movements are also observed in such a state as anancaste or (code F60.5 according to ICD-10). In addition to the typical symptoms of a personality disorder, a person shows stubbornness, a high level of pedantry, painful scrupulousness, perfectionism, and a tendency to be overly cautious and doubt everything. It is believed that compulsive personality disorder indicates deep emotional and sensory problems. Compulsive movement neurosis is found in about 2 out of 100 people. However, the manifestation of compulsions in adults does not always mean the presence of mental disorders. Similar symptoms can develop against the background of insufficient sleep, overwork or psychophysiological exhaustion. In children, obsessive movement syndrome often develops against the background of phobias, but in the vast majority of cases, compulsions are not dangerous, as they are a natural stage of development and disappear as they grow older. Treatment is required only if the obsessions interfere with the child's activity or cause any damage.

When is the right time to seek help?

If you notice compulsive behavior in yourself or someone close to you, this does not mean that it is time to sound the alarm and rush to a psychiatrist. Compulsive movement neurosis can be a temporary condition that has developed against the background of stress or nervous overload. In this case, special treatment is not required, getting rid of compulsions is quite easy, you just need to relax, get distracted or relax. But compulsive disorder can be so severe that it must be treated with the use of psychotherapy and special drugs. It is time for you to contact a psychologist or psychotherapist if:

compulsive syndrome is observed for a long time;
obsessive movements interfere with normal functioning and deliver negative experiences;
you cannot get rid of rituals on your own with an effort of will;
compulsive disorder is accompanied by signs of depression, obsessive thoughts, anxiety and various fears;
compulsive symptoms appeared after a severe infection or traumatic brain injury.

For effective treatment, it is important to determine the true causes of compulsions, as well as to exclude neurosis-like hyperkinesis. Given the predominantly psychogenic nature of the compulsions, it is not enough to simply treat the patient with sedatives. If you do not determine what exactly causes compulsions, they may never stop. Therefore, treatment in adults and children must necessarily begin with a conversation with a psychotherapist and a detailed examination. And in order to minimize the risk of developing obsessive actions, you need to have a good rest, lead a healthy lifestyle and try to protect yourself from unnecessary stress.

Dependence on psychoactive substances is a disease, the cure of which requires tremendous efforts both from doctors and from the patient himself. In order to approach the process of their recovery more constructively, chemically dependent patients must have complete and reliable information about how the disease manifests itself, how it affects the physical and emotional state, how it affects behavior, actions and thought processes. One such item would be knowing what compulsive behavior is and how it relates to smoking.

This knowledge can be an important support in the recovery process and reduce the risk of relapse. Many addicts fail to cope with their disease, despite all attempts, only because of the lack or limited information.

What is a compulsion?

Consider one of the characteristics of chemical addiction - compulsive behavior. Chemical dependence is dependence on mind-altering psychoactive substances (alcohol, drugs). These substances physically act directly on the brain, disrupting its functioning, damaging and causing irreversible processes.

Compulsive behavior is a model of behavior that reflects the structure of chemical dependence in its development. Its purpose is also to change the psychophysical state. Compulsive behavior - the patient's actions that can create a state of intense excitement or, on the contrary, relaxation, that is, get the state that the drug previously gave. However, the use of compulsive behavior to normalize the state often leads to additional problems and relapse.

Compulsive behavior can be internal (obsessive thoughts, sophisticated fantasies, experiences, imagination) and external. Types of compulsive behavior are also called "compulsions".

Some types of outward compulsive behavior

Consider the main external compulsives:

Binge eating

To calm internal discomfort, the patient begins to "seize problems" - uncontrollably consumes an unlimited amount of food. With the help of food, a person tries to drown out anxiety, anxiety, depressive mood, nervousness. Overeating can result in impaired metabolism and/or obesity.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with the fact that the addict eats a small piece of chocolate at times when the craving for alcohol or a narcotic substance is especially strong. But when the healing process is replaced by overeating, this, in addition to health problems, leads to increased uncontrollability of life and inability to withstand stressful situations.

Diet

Excessive fasting, excessive weight loss. Women are more inclined towards this compulsion. Paying a huge amount of attention to weight, figure, appearance, switching their attention from the recovery program, such patients come to the conclusion that they have less strength and concentration to resist a possible breakdown.

gambling

This compulsion is expressed in a strong need for risk. Gambling most often leads to large financial losses, which can be compared with the period of taking psychoactive substances.

Against this background, with a high probability there will be problems in communicating with loved ones, similar to the problems that were during the period of drug or alcohol use. These problems return the patient to the usual situation of interpersonal conflict, when the easiest option to escape from him is no less habitual substance use.

Job

It becomes compulsive when a person forgets about sleep and rest, plunges into work with his head, not giving his body time to rest and recover. Constant stress and persistent fatigue lead to overwork, when the addict is no longer able to solve daily problems and issues. The poor condition of the patient can be an impetus to improve well-being with the help of a familiar substance.

Achievements

Compulsive desire to confirm one's luck and success. Unfortunately, the goal of such achievements is often not peace of mind and inner harmony, but certain material benefits - a prestigious car, an expensive apartment, a country house, and so on.

But it is not always possible to achieve what was planned, desires and opportunities sometimes do not coincide, as a result - disappointment in one's personality and in life in general, which can lead to the resumption of the use of psychoactive substances. Moreover, in the process of earning material benefits, there was not enough time or energy for the recovery program.

Exercise stress

This is the need for active physical training. However, addicted people often solve various psycho-emotional problems with the help of physical activity - fear, discomfort, low self-esteem, and do not try to bring their body into good physical shape.

Quite often, excessive loads lead to fatigue and physical exhaustion, the result of which is the inability to closely engage in recovery from addiction and control one's condition.

Sex

The compulsive desire for sexual relations is more often multiple promiscuous sexual contacts, with the help of which the patient tries to solve internal problems and conflicts. For example, gain self-confidence, raise self-esteem, etc. The result of such a compulsive behavior can be conflicts with other people and a break with a loved one.

Crave for adventure

This is a compulsive desire for vivid emotions - fear, stress, excitement. Experiencing a lack of vivid emotions that are present with the regular use of a substance, a person produces them artificially by creating stressful situations. Getting into such situations is fraught with unpleasant or even tragic consequences, which can serve as an excuse for resuming the use of psychoactive substances.

Flight and isolation

Daily routine problems and stresses can be unbearable for the addict, and then he tries to find solitude, hide from others, isolate himself from society, protect himself from the influences of the outside world. However, this unhealthy loneliness, designed to provide comfort and peace, often causes even more stress.

spending

This compulsive lies in the need for purchases, acquisitions. By making rash, uncontrolled purchases, a person tries to improve his psycho-emotional state. However, such senseless spending of money subsequently leads to dissatisfaction, which, as it accumulates, increases the level of tension. The usual way to relieve this tension is to take a substance.

Fanaticism

Compulsive desire to have an idol, an object of admiration, worship. By teaching intense positive emotions while worshiping his idol, the patient temporarily improves his state of health, but uncontrolled fanaticism can lead to unpleasant consequences, like other types of compulsions.

Addiction and compulsive behavior - how are they related?

Chemical and non-chemical addictions have much in common, especially in the manifestation of external reactions of the addict. While some patients have an obsessive compulsive reaction to alcohol or drugs, others have obsessiveness and compulsiveness related to food, sex, work, exercise, etc.

With compulsive behavior, the patient's body and brain are less damaged than when taking psychoactive substances, but changes in the biochemical regulation of the brain are possible. According to research, compulsive behavior has an effect on the brain similar to that of drugs.

A person who is addicted to alcohol or a drug may be in the process of recovering from a chemical addiction but still act compulsively in other areas of life. This does not mean that he is not curable, but the healing process can be exacerbated by various problems that could be avoided by abstinence from both psychoactive substances and compulsive behavior.

When the use of psychoactive substances is stopped, the addict develops an abstinence syndrome, which manifests itself in psycho-emotional discomfort, depression, irritability, etc. And if it was previously believed that abstinence passes within a few days, then recent studies have shown that this condition can last for quite a long time - months and even years of sobriety. It is this long withdrawal that leads to the development of addictive compulsive behavior.

How does this happen?

A person who is addicted to psychoactive substances has developed a certain pattern of behavior: he feels discomfort - takes alcohol / drugs - receives an immediate positive effect. When a person is in a state of abstinence from a substance for a long time, in his habitual scheme he replaces it with a compulsion, which in this case is an ideal remedy for relieving tension and discomfort. As a result, the addict begins to overeat or starve, uncontrollably work or play sports, be promiscuous or withdraw from others.

Withdrawal syndrome can last quite a long time for several reasons:

Physical damage to the body caused by the substance and irreversible changes in the brain, which requires the habitual alcohol / drug, play a role.
Another problem is the psychological loss of the favorite way by which all life's difficulties and problems were overcome.
Social reasons are also of great importance - the patient is rejected from the usual way of life, when everything was concentrated on dependence and use.

A huge problem of addicts is the inability to cope with stress. Why is this happening? Their social, psycho-emotional and biochemical reactions to stressful situations are not the same as in healthy people. The addict often cannot manage stress, cannot recognize the insignificance of stress. When stress reaches the consciousness of the patient, he reacts violently and excessively to it, provoking new stressful situations on the basis of conflicts with the environment.

The inability to constructively respond to stressful situations entails the risk of compulsive behavior, a kind of self-healing through compulsions. Such self-treatment deprives the patient of the opportunity to learn how to cope with stressful situations, as biochemical changes occur in the brain and, under the influence of compulsions, more and more new psycho-emotional and social stresses arise.

Thus, compulsions help the patient to cope with the uncomfortable state during prolonged withdrawal, but at the same time deprive him of the opportunity to normalize the psyche, disturbed by the use of substances. In other words, a temporary improvement in the state through the use of compulsive behavior is achieved at a high price - unnecessary life problems, functional impairment, prolonged discomfort.

Problems arising from compulsive behavior interfere with the process of recovery from psychoactive substances. The risk of relapse in addicts who use compulsives is several times higher than in patients whose lives do not have compulsive behavior.

Compulsive behavior and productive - where is the line?

The same activities can be both constructive and compulsive. How to distinguish them? Compulsiveness is largely determined not by the action itself, but by how it is done. An activity is productive if it brings satisfaction without further negative consequences, manifested in emotional discomfort or physiological disorders of the addict.

For example, healthy exercise is a productive activity. They charge a person with energy, allow you to release the accumulated negativity, bring your body into good shape, improve metabolism, and increase immunity. In the future, such exercises do not foresee any long-term problems. But as soon as such loads cross the line of rationality, become debilitating, have a negative effect on physical well-being and emotional state, they turn into a series of compulsive behavior.

With other activities as well - almost every one of them has a compulsive and productive level. As soon as productive behavior becomes compulsive, it begins to be used by the patient as a substitute for a drug. Almost any compulsion is an escape from reality, an artificial change in mood. Productive, on the contrary, helps to realize and accept reality, contributes to the effective solution of real problems.

To minimize the risk of relapse, recovering from addiction needs to learn to recognize and stop compulsive behavior, as well as identify productive activities and practice them.

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In the dependent psyche, there are such states caused by psychological stress, when all of the above signs of addictive behavior intensify and appear all at once. Such behavior, in which all the signs of immature behavior appear at once in a form that exceeds the norm, is called compulsive. There is another designation for compulsive behavior.

Compulsive behavior (from lat. compulsare - to force) - behavior that does not have rational goals, but is carried out, as it were, under duress. Abstaining from such actions can cause a state of anxiety, and their implementation brings temporary satisfaction. It is done against the will, on the basis of an irresistible attraction.

Unwilling use is a form of compulsive behavior. However, copulative behavior can also manifest itself in other forms: overeating, weight loss, gambling, workaholism, sportaholism, adventure seeking, stimulating pursuits (adrenal addiction), shopping, unintelligent computer and TV sitting, sexaholism, addictive personal relationships, etc. Compulsive behavior, like one of its forms - the use of psychoactive substances, appears due to the immaturity of the individual. A personally immature person is unable to cope with psychological stress in a constructive way. And then his psyche begins to automatically defend itself from this tension in non-constructive ways available to it - with the help of flight into compulsive behavior, which temporarily relieves tension, but for this one has to pay with an even greater regression of the personality.

You can define compulsive behavior by the following signs: it lasts for a relatively long time (unlike impulsive, where the impulse passes quickly); it is difficult and sometimes impossible to stop with the help of willpower; it is usually unplanned, and often contradicts pre-planned plans; it is aimless, it usually has no other goals than the behavior itself (although there may be rationalization - inventing rational reasons and goals for such behavior); it is preceded, and often accompanied, by psychological stress (in the form of anxiety, stress, boredom, irritation, etc.); it is characterized by obsession; it usually lacks creativity, it is quite primitive.

If not interrupted, compulsive behavior will soon lead to use. After all, compulsive behavior gives only temporary relief from psychological stress, and in the end it only strengthens it. In the end, the tension will rise to such a level that only use will help relieve it, and the person will go to use. It will not be possible to get rid of compulsive behavior by the direct method of willpower, since the psychological tension that underlies compulsive behavior will not go anywhere and will manifest itself in a different destructive form. Here are a few constructive steps to get rid of compulsive behavior: 1.) recognize the causes of your compulsive behavior (psychological problems) and work through them; 2.) try to relieve psychological stress in other, more constructive ways; 3.) if it is not possible to get rid of compulsive behavior, engage in it creatively, set goals, etc.; 4.) find less destructive ways of compulsive behavior (for example, instead of watching TV, go to a group). These methods are tactical. The strategic way to get rid of compulsions will be personal growth (which in the rehabilitation program is called recovery), since the true cause of compulsive behavior is personal immaturity,

4. Rule "OOO" - awareness, responsibility, evaluation.

The rule of three "O" helps to develop mature behavior in oneself: awareness, responsibility, evaluation. This rule works in the following way.

mindfulness . It is necessary to stop and realize your behavior, think about it, what caused this behavior (event, thoughts, emotions, desires), and what goals this behavior pursues.

Responsibility . It is necessary to take responsibility for my behavior: the real reason for my behavior is the habit of reacting in such a way to such situations, in fact, no one forces me to act in such a way, except for this habit. Changing the habit of reacting in this way is solely my responsibility. Grade . The usefulness of this behavior in this particular situation is evaluated. In this case, the following schemes can help: it is usually useful behavior that is aimed at what can be changed; who has fallback options; which pursues its own goals, not those imposed by the situation; which can be flexibly changed; in which there is a phased plan; which pursues certain goals. If the behavior in this particular situation is more harmful, then other behaviors are searched for, and then, using the decision-making strategy, the most useful for this situation is searched.