Chemical Imbalances

• Imbalances of chemicals in the brain may be a cause for compulsive sexual behavior (also known as sexual addiction), compulsive gambling, and compulsive eating (also known as binge-eating disorder), according to the Mayo Clinic.
  
  

Genetics

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is an anxiety condition that sufferers feel can only be alleviated by compulsive behaviors such as excessive hand-washing, along with compulsive eating may be linked to genetics, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  
  

Environment

• Environment, or learned habits over time, may be one of the causes of some of the repetitive behaviors associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  
  

Psychological

• Low self-esteem, a history of sexual abuse and problems dealing with emotions are all possible causes of compulsive behaviors such as in binge-eating disorder, according to the Mayo Clinic.
  
  

Physical Diseases

• Diseases that can potentially damage and change the brain such as epilepsy, dementia, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis can contribute to compulsive sexual behaviors, according to the Mayo Clinic.