Which disorder features intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at decreasing the distress caused by the thoughts?

Which disorder features intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors aimed at decreasing the distress caused by the thoughts?

• A. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• C. Panic Disorder
• D. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Answer: (A)

Intrusive thoughts that cause distress and the repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce that distress define obsessive-compulsive disorder. In OCD, the thoughts (obsessions) are unwanted and provoke anxiety, and the person feels driven to perform rituals (compulsions) to neutralize or lessen the distress, even when the connection between the act and the feared outcome is irrational. For example, someone might have persistent contamination concerns and repeatedly wash their hands to relieve the anxiety those thoughts provoke. This pattern is not the same as generalized anxiety disorder, where worry is broad and persistent without tied, ritualized acts. It’s also not panic disorder, which centers on recurrent panic attacks and fear of another attack, nor PTSD, which involves trauma-related symptoms like intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal rather than compulsive rituals aimed at reducing distress from intrusive thoughts.

Intrusive thoughts that cause distress and the repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce that distress define obsessive-compulsive disorder. In OCD, the thoughts (obsessions) are unwanted and provoke anxiety, and the person feels driven to perform rituals (compulsions) to neutralize or lessen the distress, even when the connection between the act and the feared outcome is irrational. For example, someone might have persistent contamination concerns and repeatedly wash their hands to relieve the anxiety those thoughts provoke.

This pattern is not the same as generalized anxiety disorder, where worry is broad and persistent without tied, ritualized acts. It’s also not panic disorder, which centers on recurrent panic attacks and fear of another attack, nor PTSD, which involves trauma-related symptoms like intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal rather than compulsive rituals aimed at reducing distress from intrusive thoughts.