OBSESSION

Obsession: Definition, History and Characteristics

Obsession can be defined as an intrusive, persistent and recurrent thought, image or impulse that causes considerable distress and interferes with an individual’s daily functioning. Obsession is a type of anxiety disorder and is typically associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is often characterized by intrusive and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as distressing and that create a strong sense of discomfort or fear. The individual often recognizes that these thoughts, urges, or images are a product of their own mind, rather than being imposed by an external force.

The history of obsession dates back to the ancient Greeks when Hippocrates first described the concept of “phobias” as an irrational fear of certain things. In the 19th century, French psychiatrist Jean-Étienne Esquirol further developed the concept of obsession, describing it as a “fixed idea” that was “characterized by its persistence, its rigidity, its monotony, and its unyielding strength”. Later, Sigmund Freud described obsessions as “the return of the repressed”, based on his psychoanalytic theory of the unconscious.

The characteristics of obsession are numerous, but some of the most common include fear, anxiety, distress, preoccupation, and recurrent thoughts. People with obsessions may also experience intrusive thoughts or images, avoidance behaviors, difficulty concentrating, and difficulty sleeping. They may also experience physical symptoms such as muscle tension, sweating, and restlessness. In extreme cases, people with obsessions may experience suicidal ideation or engage in self-harm.

Overall, obsession is a recurrent and intrusive phenomenon that is characterized by a range of distressing symptoms. It is important to recognize that obsession is a serious condition and that people affected by it should seek professional help.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Esquirol, J. E. (1838). Mental maladies: A treatise on insanity. Paris: J. B. Baillière.

Freud, S. (1950). The Interpretation of Dreams. New York, NY: Avon.

Hippocrates. (1890). Epidemics, book III. In W.H.S. Jones (Trans.), The Hippocratic Collection (pp. 83-88). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Rachman, S. (1993). Obsessions, responsibility, and guilt. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 31(4), 379-387. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(93)90106-I