A woman has difficulty concentrating on her job at work because of her preoccupation with the possibility that she has left the stove on or the iron plugged in at home. She imagines that her house will catch fire because of her mistake. She confides in her doctor. What diagnosis is the doctor likely to consider?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The woman's preoccupation and irrational fear about leaving the stove on or iron plugged in suggests symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by intrusive and recurring thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily functioning. Panic disorder involves sudden and unexpected intense episodes of fear or anxiety, while specific phobia is characterized by a persistent and excessive fear of a particular object or situation. Obsessive-compulsive personality is a personality trait and not a diagnosis of a mental disorder.

A Woman Has Difficulty Concentrating on Her Job at Work