Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Intense preoccupation refers to a state of obsessive focus or fixation on a particular thought, idea, or concern. It involves an overwhelming and persistent attention towards a specific subject matter.
Related terms
Obsession: A related term to intense preoccupation, obsession refers to unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses that cause distress and anxiety.
Compulsion: Compulsion is the action or behavior that someone engages in repeatedly as a response to their obsession. It is often performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety or prevent something bad from happening.
Fixation is an excessive attachment or preoccupation with a particular object, person, or idea. It involves being unable to move on from this fixation and constantly thinking about it.