Which disorder is described as unwanted repetitive thoughts and/or behaviors performed to reduce anxiety?

Which disorder is described as unwanted repetitive thoughts and/or behaviors performed to reduce anxiety?

• A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• B. OCD
• C. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
• D. Schizophrenia

Answer: (B)

Obsessive-compulsive patterns involve unwanted intrusive thoughts and repetitive actions aimed at reducing anxiety. In this disorder, obsessions are distressing thoughts, images, or urges that keep resurfacing, and compulsions are the repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to lessen the distress or prevent a feared outcome. This dynamic—distressing thoughts paired with ritualized actions to relieve the anxiety—is the hallmark. Generalized Anxiety Disorder features pervasive worry across many domains without the clear ritualized behaviors tied to each fear. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder centers on re-experiencing trauma, avoidance, and hyperarousal after a traumatic event, not the ritualized behaviors described here. Schizophrenia involves psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, not repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. So the described pattern best fits Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive patterns involve unwanted intrusive thoughts and repetitive actions aimed at reducing anxiety. In this disorder, obsessions are distressing thoughts, images, or urges that keep resurfacing, and compulsions are the repetitive behaviors or mental rituals performed to lessen the distress or prevent a feared outcome. This dynamic—distressing thoughts paired with ritualized actions to relieve the anxiety—is the hallmark.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder features pervasive worry across many domains without the clear ritualized behaviors tied to each fear. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder centers on re-experiencing trauma, avoidance, and hyperarousal after a traumatic event, not the ritualized behaviors described here. Schizophrenia involves psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, not repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing anxiety. So the described pattern best fits Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.