A long-held view is that compulsive behaviors involve individuals getting stuck in a "habit loop" that overrides self-control, but new research in rats from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) ...

The series turned a voyeuristic lens to people with unusual habits, but it did raise awareness of various compulsive disorders.

Eating disorders and OCD can look strikingly similar on the surface. Understanding what drives the behavior is essential for ...

Mental health professionals say obsessive-compulsive disorder affects millions and can involve intrusive thoughts, anxiety, ...

Compulsive behaviors are actions that are engaged in repeatedly and consistently, despite the fact that they are experienced as aversive or troubling. Yet treatment can help to manage or overcome ...

A recent study in rats suggests that compulsive behaviors, such as handwashing and gambling, may be driven by inflammation in the brain rather than habit loops. Researchers found that ...

Is compulsive behavior common in people with Alzheimer’s or dementia? When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, many aspects of his or her life are forced to change and will ...

Psychiatrists take new interest in once benign hair pulling, nail biting. Oct. 3, 2012— -- When Nicole Santamorena was a baby she pulled her hair for comfort when she was distressed or sick. But ...

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have identified a brain circuit that can drive repetitive and compulsive behaviors in mice, even when natural rewards such as food or social contact are ...

OCD can have a significant impact on relationships and other aspects of daily life. Individuals may experience isolation and have reduced opportunities for social connection due to symptoms. Obsessive ...

To most parents, a toddler's insistence on the "right" plate or bedtime routine seems like a normal developmental quirk or just the latest cause of a meltdown. However, for some children, these ...

Everyday Health independently vets all recommended products. If you purchase a featured product, we may be compensated. Learn why you can trust us. Everyday Health independently vets all recommended ...