Habitual behaviour can be altered with awareness and thought. Compulsions, however, are harder to change. When people cannot engage in their usual behaviour, they experience anxiety. People with compulsive disorders often resort to repetitive actions to relax or alleviate intense psychological pressure. This article will explore three strategies to overcome compulsive behaviours:
Just do it strategy
Compulsions are hard to break. They become automatic habits that we can’t help but do without thinking. Avoiding doing something is more likely to make it late or do it slower than those who don’t think about it. This strategy, called do it, replaces an automatic reaction with a plan and breaks the cycle of habitual behaviour. It is easier to change a habit if you do it more often.
Recognising triggers
First, identify when you feel the urge to carry out your habit. You might feel anxious if you see an open door and decide to lock it. This urge is often connected to a specific memory, such as a particularly traumatic event. You should identify what triggers you and avoid them.
Once you know when your OCD symptoms start manifesting, you can stop doing that. Try becoming aware of your triggers and writing them down. Therapy can also be helpful. By recognising your triggers, you can begin to fight against your compulsions and obsessions. The goal is to eliminate them forever. How can we do that? It will take time.
Identifying a replacement for compulsive behaviour
It is important to identify the triggers of compulsive behaviours if you are trying to replace them. This may be something as simple as washing your hands frequently, or it could be more complex. Compulsive behaviours can also be caused by trying to attain perfection, punishing oneself, and even trying to distract your mind with repeated actions. Psychotherapy can help you discover a more healthy alternative.
To identify a replacement for compulsive behaviour, it’s important to understand the difference between habit and compulsion. It is much easier to break a habit than a compulsion because it doesn’t require a strong desire. If you aren’t sure, ask yourself how much control you have over your compulsive behaviour. If you’ve never tried changing a habit, it’s probably not the best idea to try to quit without any help. But once you’ve decided what a replacement is, you’ll be on your way to coping with your compulsive behaviour.
About Dadhichi Toth, the Author
Dadhichi Toth is a revisionary astrologer who works with both Eastern and Western systems of astrology.
He is the founder and CEO of astrology.com.au and previous author of the best-selling astrology series of books for Harlequin Mills and Boon for 9 years.
📧 He can be contacted on [email protected]
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