Another change model developed or modeled by Bandler and documented by C. and S. Andreas (1987/1988) is specifically intended to help resolve behaviors or reactions that are “too intense to be easily eliminated with other techniques such as the Swish.” Bursting compulsions is particularly suitable for resolving stubborn compulsions.

Standard Steps:

1. Identify the Compulsive Behavior
2. Observe the Compulsive Feeling
3. Recognize the Trigger for the Compulsive Behavior
4. Burst the Compulsive Behavior

Detailed Steps:

1. Identify the Compulsive Behavior

   Which compulsive behavior would you like to resolve within yourself? Recall a situation in which you behaved exactly in this compulsive way. What exactly happened in that situation? How did you behave? Remember the situation as vividly and in as much detail as possible.

2. Observe the Compulsive Feeling

   Go back in your memory to the point where the compulsion becomes noticeable. Let time run backward to answer the following question: What exactly happens just before you feel the compulsion? Do you see something internally? Do you hear something internally? Do you sense a particular physical feeling?

3. Recognize the Trigger for the Compulsive Behavior

   Now find out what exactly in the internal image, the internal sound, or the internal sensation triggered the compulsive behavior in the past. If the compulsion is triggered by an internal image: Look closely at this internal image. What in this image evokes the compulsive behavior?

   Example: The image comes closer and the compulsion becomes stronger; or the image gets bigger and the compulsion becomes stronger.

4. Burst the Compulsive Behavior

   Now let exactly this feature grow beyond all bounds! Repeat if necessary! For example, if the compulsion was previously triggered by the image coming closer, let the image come closer and closer until it “collides” with you, passes through you, and finally bursts.

   If the compulsion was triggered by the image getting bigger, let the image grow and grow until it becomes a massive mountain, eventually so enormous that it pops.

   If the compulsion was triggered by a sound getting louder, let the sound grow louder and louder until it becomes so loud that it bursts.

   If the compulsion was triggered by a physical sensation expanding, let it continue to expand beyond your body’s boundaries until it finally becomes so large that it bursts like a soap bubble.

   In most cases, the compulsive behavior bursts along with the image, sound, or sensation.

   Example: If a chocolate bar is opened on the table, the image of that broken chocolate bar may grow bigger and trigger a compulsive need to finish it. Imagine the chocolate bar getting bigger and bigger. Soon it covers the whole table, continues to grow, and eventually becomes a huge mountain of chocolate that you can never finish. The image then usually pops, and with it the compulsion to eat an opened chocolate bar.