Before entering fully into the meaning of the term compulsion, we are going to proceed to know its etymological origin. In this case, we can state that it derives from Latin, exactly from the word "compulsio", which can be translated as "pressure" or "force exerted on something or someone."
An exaggerated and impetuous propensity towards something is called compulsion . The concept is frequently used in the field of psychology .
It can be said that a compulsion is an obsessive or addictive behavior that develops from a stimulus that is overpowering for the individual. Compulsions appear in people who, apparently, are healthy, but who cannot stop their inclination towards the object that attracts them excessively.
Generally, this psychological disorder appears in subjects who do not find stimulation in their daily activities or who have repressed anxiety . What triggers the compulsion is presented to them as an outlet and causes them a pleasure that they want to experience again and again.
It is important to establish that there are different types of compulsions:
Thus, on the one hand, we cannot ignore the existence of what are known as daily compulsions. These are activities that a person performs routinely every day and that end up becoming compulsive. Specifically, that is something that can happen with activities such as having sex, sleeping, playing sports, eating, cleaning...
On the other hand, we come across the so-called recreational or ludic compulsions. These are the ones that are identified because they begin as a simple way to distract themselves and end up becoming a routine and from there they become compulsive activities. These are identified by the fact that the person who has them is capable of losing their sense of reality. That is, they may even forget or put aside their obligations.
In addition to everything indicated, we cannot ignore the existence of another type of compulsion that occurs with some frequency. We are referring to what is called repetition compulsion.
A factor that becomes relevant in so-called recreational compulsions compared to everyday ones is adrenaline. And this becomes addictive.
Compulsion can be provoked by various situations or objects. There are people who develop a shopping compulsion : they feel the need to buy products all the time, even those they don't need. Any advertising or promotion, or even the simple act of looking at a product, can generate that intention to make a purchase.
There are men and women, on the other hand, who develop a compulsion for food . These individuals try to hide or cover up different frustrations or anxieties through food intake. They are people who eat in exaggerated quantities and at all times.
Gambling , the use of technological devices , sports activity and even work can become compulsions when someone cannot control the way they approach these stimuli.