obsession (redirected from obsess)

obsession /ob·ses·sion/ (ob-sesh´un) a persistent unwanted idea or impulse that cannot be eliminated by reasoning.obses´sive

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ob·ses·sion (b-sshn, b-)

n.

1. Compulsive preoccupation with an idea or an unwanted feeling or emotion, often accompanied by symptoms of anxiety.

2. A compulsive, often unreasonable idea or emotion.

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ob·session·al adj.

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Obsession

A recurring, distressing idea, thought or impulse that feels "foreign" or alien to the individual.

Mentioned in: Anxiety Disorders, Mental Status Examination, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

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obsession

Etymology: L, obsidere, to haunt

a persistent and recurrent thought or idea with which the mind is continually and involuntarily preoccupied and that cannot be expunged by logic or reasoning.

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obsession

Psychiatry 'Recurrent & persistent thoughts, impulses, or images (that are perceived) … as intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety or distress'

Obsessions are

1.  Recurrent & persistent thoughts, impulses, or images–TII, that are perceived as intrusive and inappropriate and cause marked anxiety or distress

2.  Or that are not simply excessive reponses to genuine real-life problems

3.  Active attempts are made to suppress or neutralize the TIIs by some thought or action

4.  The person recognizes that the TIIs are products of his/her own mind

Compulsions are

1.  Repetitive behaviors–eg handwashing, double-checking, mental acts–praying, repeating words silently that a person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession, or in accord with strictly applied rules

2.  Behaviors or mental acts aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation, which are not realistically connected with what they are intended to neutralize or prevent, or behaviors that are clearly excessive DSM-IV, 1994  

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Patient discussion about obsess.

Q. What Is OCD? I have heard the term OCD on T.V and wanted to find out- what exactly is this syndrome?

A. OCD is a psychiatric disorder in which a person experiences obesessive thoughts and compulsions to do a ritual in order to "calm" these thoughts down. Obsessions can be recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced at some time during the disturbance. They are inappropriate and cause marked anxiety. Compulsions are defined by repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. This disorder should be diagnosed only by a doctor.

Q. Relation between bipolar & obsessive compulsive disorder. Is there any relation between bipolar and obsessive compulsive disorder? I ask you this because I have many answers so I have to choose one. Sorry I can’t post all which I know. Excuse me!

A. There is correlation between ADHD/ADD, and/or depression and/or Boarderline Personality Disorder and OCD due to a serotonin imbalance. BPD is often misdiagnosed as bi-polar.