Repetition Compulsion: Why Do We Repeat the Past?

“If you can’t repeat your past… What then are ‘mistakes’ which become [habitual] Are they not of the past? Isn’t it repetition? I daresay…!” ~ Merlana Krishna Raymond Humans seek comfort in the familiar. Freud called this repetition compulsion, which he famously defined as “the desire to return to an earlier state of things.” This takes form in simple tasks. Perhaps you watch your favorite movie over and over, or choose the same entrée at your favorite restaurant. More harmful behaviors include repeatedly dating people who might emotionally or physically abuse you. or using drugs when overcome with negative thoughts. Freud was more interested in the harmful behaviors that people kept revisiting, and believed that it was directly linked to what he termed “the death drive,” or the desire to no longer exist. But there may be a different reason. It could be that many of us develop patterns over the years, whether positive or negative, that become ingrained. We each create a subjective world for ourselves and discover what works for us. In times of stress, worry, anger, or another emotional high, we repeat what is familiar and what feels safe. This creates rumination of thoughts as well as negative patterns in reactions and behaviors. As an example, someone who struggles with insecurities and jealousy will find that when his significant other does not return a call or text immediately, his mind begins to wander to negative and f...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Brain and Behavior General Habits Psychology Psychotherapy Treatment Anger Death Drive Desire Drugs False Accusations Favorite Restaurant Freud Harmful Behaviors Insecurities Jealousy Krishna Leads Negative Patterns N Source Type: blogs