obsessionalism
obsessionalism Lexical Profile
obsessionalism Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The tendency to be preoccupied with a persistent idea, thought, or feeling, often leading to a rigid or compulsive pattern of behavior.
"The director's obsessionalism with historical accuracy meant that every costume took months to design and research."
In psychology and psychiatry, a clinical condition or personality trait characterized by the recurrence of intrusive thoughts, anxieties, or compulsive actions.
"Early psychiatric literature often distinguished between acute neurosis and an underlying character trait of obsessionalism."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'obsession' typically refers to a specific fixed idea or singular focus, 'obsessionalism' is used to describe the broader psychological trait, systemic pattern, or general condition of being prone to obsessions.
• Rhymes for obsessionalism
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the adjective 'obsessional' combined with the suffix '-ism'. It traces back to the Latin 'obsessionem' meaning 'a besieging', from the verb 'obsidere' (to besiege), combining 'ob-' (against) and 'sedere' (to sit).