Which features are central to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

Which features are central to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?

• A. Obsessions and compulsions
• B. Delusions and hallucinations
• C. Mood disturbance and anhedonia
• D. Phobic avoidance only

Answer: (A)

Intrusive, distressing thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) paired with repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress (compulsions) are the defining pattern of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessions create anxiety or unease, and compulsions are the attempts to neutralize that anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. The key is that these obsessions and compulsions occur consistently, are time-consuming, and cause meaningful impairment in daily life, and many people with OCD recognize the rituals as excessive or unreasonable (ego-dystonic), yet feel unable to resist them. This set of features distinguishes OCD from other conditions. Delusions and hallucinations point toward psychotic disorders, mood disturbance and anhedonia relate to mood disorders like depression, and phobic avoidance is typical of specific phobias, not the core obsessive-compulsive pattern. Examples include worrying about contamination and performing repeated washing, or needing perfect symmetry and checking locks repeatedly.

Intrusive, distressing thoughts, urges, or images (obsessions) paired with repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the distress (compulsions) are the defining pattern of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessions create anxiety or unease, and compulsions are the attempts to neutralize that anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. The key is that these obsessions and compulsions occur consistently, are time-consuming, and cause meaningful impairment in daily life, and many people with OCD recognize the rituals as excessive or unreasonable (ego-dystonic), yet feel unable to resist them.

This set of features distinguishes OCD from other conditions. Delusions and hallucinations point toward psychotic disorders, mood disturbance and anhedonia relate to mood disorders like depression, and phobic avoidance is typical of specific phobias, not the core obsessive-compulsive pattern. Examples include worrying about contamination and performing repeated washing, or needing perfect symmetry and checking locks repeatedly.