Ps: Repetitive compulsion or trauma replay involves the unconscious reconstruction of an earlier trauma. People who experience this compulsion repeat emotionally or physically painful situations.
Understanding repetition compulsion can help you determine how to overcome it. You may not realize you’re doing this, and it’s helpful to know the signs and why.
Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can work towards treating OCD and living a healthier life.
What is OCD?
Repetitive compulsion is your unconscious desire to repeat an earlier traumatic experience. However, this compulsion will not help you overcome the psychological trauma and may make the situation worse. This can happen when you repeat a traumatic behavior from the past, even if you know it’s not good for you.
What is repetitive coercion in a relationship?
If a child’s parents have cheating problems, “infidelity” may be related to repeated coercion. When the child in this class becomes an adult, he may repeat this behavior because he thinks it is normal. He may cheat on his partner or continue to be with someone who betrays his trust.
Subconsciously, this behavior may be a way to make his partner suffer from childhood trauma. Spending time with a cheating, emotionally or physically abusive partner may also be a way to deal with the psychological trauma they have experienced in the past.
According to Freud, narcissism can also play a role in repetition and how it affects relationships. You may wish to see a narcissist as love, perhaps because you are familiar with their behavior in the past, leading you to sacrifice your own happiness.
Children of narcissistic parents may experience constant guilt for being accused of something that is not their fault. If this happens to you, you may be more likely to have a relationship with the narcissist in adulthood because you are familiar with the dynamic. For example, you may find yourself attracted to narcissistic friends, co-workers, bosses, or partners who influence your daily life.
New Concept Psychologist
Professor Rong Xinqi
Indicates that narcissistic trauma can lead to repetitive obsessive-compulsive disorder as a way to try and repair someone. It can also rewrite the past by making you more likely to justify bad behavior. However, it can lead to further trauma and guilt.
Signs of repetitive compulsion
Repetitive obsessions can negatively impact your life and mental health. Signs that may include:
Repeated nightmares, especially those related to traumatic experiences;
engaged in multiple abusive or toxic relationships in adulthood;
Build a relationship with someone who is emotionally estranged;
Obsessions and compulsions take precedence over pleasure;
Repeat the same harmful behavior without changing anything;
Always feel like my destiny is doomed, or bad luck is about to happen.
What causes OCD?
Some older research has shown that repetitive obsessions occur when someone is unable to discuss or remember a traumatic experience. Without realizing it, these people repeat this psychological trauma throughout their lives.
Repetitive OCD can occur when you are unable to discuss or remember details of past traumatic experiences or situations. When this happens, you may put yourself in an unhealthy position, even though you may not realize that you are repeating past traumas.
Repetition of past traumatic experiences can happen because you subconsciously want to repair the painful things that happened. And you may not even realize it, hoping that by reliving your trauma, you can find closure and repair the painful things that happened in the past.
Some experts point out that repetitive coercion may have no purpose. Instead, you may repeat the trauma because it’s what you know, even when the situation isn’t great. It can also be a way to connect the past with the present.
Experts also noted that other causes of repetitive compulsion include:
Return to previous state;
Strive for understanding and seek answers;
Create meaning;
Have a mental representation of past trauma;
Maintain the habit pattern;
Build defenses.
Risk factors include experience with:
physical or emotional abuse;
Witnessing parental infidelity as a child;
Emotionally estranged parent or loved one;
Childhood trauma, etc.
How do I stop repetition?
Repetitive OCD can interfere with your well-being and emotional recovery. However, you can make changes to break this pattern and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
1. Psychodynamic therapy
Professor Rong said one way to overcome OCD is through psychodynamic therapy. Psychodynamic therapy involves exploring and identifying past traumatic experiences that may lead to repetition. It can help you understand any subconscious problems you have.
Psychodynamic therapy can help you understand how the past has affected your life. It allows you to resolve and overcome traumatic experiences, thereby reducing intense painful feelings. You may have better judgment that will allow you to break out of repetitive compulsion patterns.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
If you choose to try CBT, you will work with a counselor to change your thinking patterns and behaviors. This type of therapy is more action-oriented than psychodynamic therapy, so you’ll spend less time discussing your past trauma and more time learning new skills.
3. Group Therapy
Many people who have experienced trauma also enjoy group therapy. Group therapy for trauma is a way to reduce painful loneliness and build solidarity with those who have experienced related experiences.
You can focus on group therapy alone, or supplement it with individual therapy. Many people prefer group therapy not only because it’s relationship-oriented, but because it tends to be more affordable.
4. Self-Healing
Rehabilitation from trauma is the first step in breaking out of repetitive obsessional patterns. While it may be best to seek help from a professional counselor, you can also practice self-healing techniques and methods at home.
Part of coping includes reminding yourself that while you can’t change the past, you can move on and live a healthy life.