Difference between coping and compulsion?

A compulsion can be seen as a way of coping, but it’s usually an unhealthy or ineffective one. Coping strategies are meant to manage stress or anxiety in a balanced way, while compulsions are driven by obsessive thoughts and performed to relieve the anxiety those thoughts cause. The problem is, compulsions don’t actually solve anything and can end up making things worse over time. So, while both coping and compulsions are ways we try to handle tough emotions or situations, compulsions tend to be repetitive, anxiety-driven, and don’t typically lead to good outcomes, unlike healthier coping strategies. Some examples of healthier strategies include: • Breathing exercises • Physical activity • Talking it out • Journaling • Meditation and mindfulness However, for people with OCD, even healthy coping strategies can turn compulsive, so it’s often suggested to implement them as part of a **routine** rather than an as-needed approach. For instance, you might try meditation every morning, physical exercise every other day, or journaling once at night. I hope this helps!

think of it this way, compulsions can be used to cope but not all coping skills are compulsions. you can have a non-compulsive coping skill.

Hey there! This can definitely be a complicated topic to unpack. In general, both coping skills and compulsions are used to reduce negative feelings that someone is having. The truth is, any coping skills can become compulsions. Any repetitive physical or mental behaviors used to relieve distress from obsessions is a compulsion. I have a really helpful article here for you that has more information on this topic: https://www.treatmyocd.com/blog/coping-skills-that-can-continue-the-ocd-cycle#h-the-gray-area-of-coping-skills In general though, coping skills are not bad in and of themselves. These skills can be beneficial in many areas of life, and should be used regularly if they are helpful to you. However, if you have OCD, certain coping skills, while they might feel helpful in the moment, are not helpful in beating OCD long-term.

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