A 29-year-old woman is referred after complaining that she cannot get through the day without washing her hands after touching any unknown surface. Her disorder is characterized by recurrent and persistent thoughts and feelings that cause distress, consume considerable time, and interfere with her occupational, social, or interpersonal functioning. This can be referred to as _____ disorder.
A) bipolar
B) dissociative
C) obsessive-compulsive
D) posttraumatic stress

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description provided matches the criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which involves recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and unwanted, and usually cause anxiety or distress. This is followed by repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are aimed at reducing the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts, but the relief is only temporary. This cycle can be time-consuming and lead to significant impairment in daily functioning. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of both depressive and manic symptoms, dissociative disorders involve disruptions in memory, identity, or consciousness, and posttraumatic stress disorder involves re-experiencing of a traumatic event and avoidance behaviors.

A 29-Year-Old Woman Is Referred After Complaining That She Cannot