OCD is characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and/or behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.

OCD is characterized by unwanted repetitive thoughts and/or behaviors performed to reduce anxiety.

• A. Panic Attack
• B. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• C. OCD
• D. PTSD

Answer: (C)

OCD centers on obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are distressing, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly intrude on a person’s mind. In response, a person may perform compulsions—repetitive behaviors or mental acts—aimed at reducing the anxiety these obsessions trigger or preventing a feared outcome. This pattern becomes problematic when it is time-consuming, causes significant distress, or impairs daily functioning. Other anxiety-related disorders involve different features—for example, panic attacks are sudden surges of fear, generalized anxiety involves chronic worry across many areas without ritualized behaviors, and PTSD revolves around trauma exposure with re-experiencing and avoidance. The combination of unwanted thoughts and ritualistic actions to lessen distress is what characterizes OCD.

OCD centers on obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are distressing, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that repeatedly intrude on a person’s mind. In response, a person may perform compulsions—repetitive behaviors or mental acts—aimed at reducing the anxiety these obsessions trigger or preventing a feared outcome. This pattern becomes problematic when it is time-consuming, causes significant distress, or impairs daily functioning. Other anxiety-related disorders involve different features—for example, panic attacks are sudden surges of fear, generalized anxiety involves chronic worry across many areas without ritualized behaviors, and PTSD revolves around trauma exposure with re-experiencing and avoidance. The combination of unwanted thoughts and ritualistic actions to lessen distress is what characterizes OCD.