We tend to 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.”

We tend to 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 favourite movie over and over, or choose the same entrée at your favourite restaurant. More harmful behaviours 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 behaviours 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.

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