how do you call a disease or disorder when a person repeats things or behavior over and over again?

Answer 1

http://allpsych.com/disorders/dsm.html

This is a link for the DSM-V, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, which is THE reference used by professionals and lay people in the counseling services.

Many things can cause repetitious behavior. Frontal lobe demyelination is a common cause of folks repeating their sentences, but it is rarely a stand-alone disorder ... meaning there are other factors to consider with this demyelination. One can be an exposure to chemicals, particularly endocrine disruptors and some carcinogens, as well as toxins like lead, teflon and PCBs.

Others have mentioned Tourette's as well as obsessive-compulsive disorders. Good answers. Why not check the DSM for starters and perhaps some of the links on the sidebar for that AllPsych Online site. Other resources might include:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Topics/Toxins.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2005/jun/science/pt_toxins.html

Answer 2

My best guess would be obsessive compulsive disorder or they could have some kind of autism or autism spectrum like Asperger or PDD-NOS or maybe even both. My two are autism spectrum and sometimes will do repetitive actions or phrases. They also have obsessive interests too. My youngest is currently obsessed with Pokemon!

Answer 3

It could be obsessive compulsive disorder or depending on age it could be Alzheimer's disease.
It could be obsessive compulsive disorder or depending on age it could be Alzheimer's disease.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Answer 4

obsessive compulsive disorder

Answer 5

You might be thinking of Tourette's Syndrome.

Answer 6

Being annoying.

Answer 7

RAIN MAN