ABSTRACT
An obsession is a recurring thought that includes a preoccupation about people or activities (usually symbolic of sexual, hostile, or dependency wishes) and is usually disturbing to the person having the thought. Compulsions comprise a variety of actions (which are symbolic) that relieve people of guilt and express some wish. Since people often use compulsions to relieve the affects they experience while obsessing, the term “obsessive-compulsive” was coined.
