A Conceptualization of the Repetition Compulsion

The concept of the repetition compulsion remains an enigma. Its etiology is not fully understood and the purpose it serves continues to be a mystery. Although it is often theorized that the compulsion to repeat may function to facilitate mastery of a past trauma, mastery is rarely achieved. In this article the concept of the repetition compulsion is reviewed and the unanswered questions that continue to exist about this phenomenon are summarized. A way to conceptualize the compulsion to repeat is then offered. The compulsion to repeat as it specifically relates to the attempt to master a previous trauma is reviewed, followed by a examination of the relationship between the compulsion to repeat and reenactments. Finally, how the compulsion to repeat can be viewed as a posttraumatic stress response and the implications of understanding it in this fashion is then examined.