| obsession | <psychiatry> A recurrent, persistent thought, image or impulse that is unwanted and distressing (ego dystonic) and comes involuntarily to mind despite attempts to ignore or suppress it. Common obsessions involve thoughts of violence, contamination and self doubt. Origin: L. Obsessio (18 Nov 1997) |
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| obsessional neurosis | A psychological disorder with a pervasive pattern of inflexible perfectionism which begins by early adulthood as indicated by many of the following symptoms: an unattainable perfectionism with overly strict standards which often make it impossible to complete a task; preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or scheduling to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost; unreasonable insistence that others submit to exactly his or her way of doing things; an unnecessary, excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships; rumination to the point of indecisiveness; (6) overconscientiousness about matters of morality, ethics, or values; (7) restricted expression of affection; (8) lack of generosity in giving time, money, or gifts when no personal gain is likely to result; and (9) an inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value. Synonym: obsessional neurosis. (05 Mar 2000) |