a very strong impulse to do something
refers to someone having an incessant and irresistible urge to carry out certain actions for irrational or seemingly unnecessary reasons.
The type of behavior a person exhibits that is overpowering, repeated, and often irrational.
doing something (eg wash hands) again and again and again - feel cannot stop yourself. The person is compelled to carry out certain actions, such as repetitive hand washing based on a fear of contamination, or the person feels like they must complete these activities over and over before leaving the house or other settings.