compulsive / forced
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compulsive
In psychology: based on an obsessive-compulsive disorder; describes actions or thoughts that a person feels internally driven to do and must repeat.
Er hat das zwanghafte Bedürfnis, ständig seine Hände zu waschen.
He has the compulsive need to wash his hands constantly.
The adjective 'zwanghaft' (compulsive/forced) is derived from the noun 'der Zwang' (compulsion, pressure). 'Zwang' means pressure or an inner compulsion. The ending '-haft' means 'characterized by', so something is 'zwanghaft' when it is characterized by compulsion.
Er leidet unter dem Zwang, alles perfekt ordnen zu müssen.
He suffers from the compulsion to have to arrange everything perfectly.
'Zwanghaft' (compulsive/forced) can not only describe a noun (attributive use), but also modify a verb as an adverb. It then describes the manner in which an action is performed.
Er versuchte zwanghaft, ein Lächeln aufzusetzen.
He tried in a forced way to put on a smile.
The psychological meaning often refers to repeated, ritualized actions (washing, checking). The more general meaning describes unnatural, tense behavior or feelings (smile, calm, cheerfulness).
Sein zwanghaftes Bedürfnis nach Sauberkeit bestimmt seinen ganzen Tag.
His compulsive need for cleanliness determines his entire day.
natural / of course
'natürlich' and 'zwanghaft' describe here how a behavior comes across. 'natürlich' means relaxed, normal, and not acted. 'zwanghaft', on the other hand, means tense, forced, or not spontaneous. If someone speaks naturally, they seem genuine and relaxed. If someone tries to be compulsively friendly or funny, you can often tell that it does not seem free and relaxed.
In der Pause lachte er zwanghaft, obwohl niemand den Witz lustig fand.
During the break, he laughed in a forced way, even though no one found the joke funny.
Vor der Kamera bleibt sie ruhig und spricht sehr natürlich.
In front of the camera, she stays calm and speaks very naturally.