What is an example of compulsion?

Answer 1

A compulsion is an urgent or irresistible need to perform an act, often against the person's will. For example, whenever I see a pile of books or magazines that are stacked haphazardly, I can't resist straightening the pile so that they are aligned and in order of size. There is no real need to do this because the misaligned reading material is doing not harm and it does no affect the material itself.

Answer 2

An example of compulsion is feeling the need to repeatedly wash your hands even when they are not dirty due to an obsessive fear of germs. This behavior is driven by the compulsion to alleviate anxiety and prevent a perceived threat.