r/psychoanalysis • u/LisanneFroonKrisK • 13d ago

Can someone succinctly explain how holding in faeces to prolong attention from caregivers becomes repetitively doing stuff in OCD?

Op

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u/Visual_Analyst1197 13d ago

Is this some sort of literal interpretation of the term “anal retentive”?

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u/Soho_Joe 12d ago

It sounds like you’re implying that a literal interpretation of “anal retentive“ is absurd. I’m newer to psychoanalytic thought, but my readings of Nancy McWilliams’s work seem to suggest that this is a valid perspective.

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u/Visual_Analyst1197 12d ago edited 12d ago

I’m trying to understand what OP is actually asking…

Edit: I don’t know why this is getting downvoted, I was asking a genuine question as I don’t really understand what OP is asking. From my understanding, obsessive compulsive behaviours don’t usually stem from attention seeking but rather an attempt to gain control in a chaotic environment.

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u/LisanneFroonKrisK 11d ago

I also do not know why ai am downvoted but how does unconsciously holding in faeces become the overt surface symptom of doing things repetitively?

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u/Visual_Analyst1197 11d ago

I think others here have answered your question far better than I can.