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 on 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 with leaving the stove on or iron plugged in and her fear of her house catching on fire suggest obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, which are characteristic symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therefore, this is the most likely diagnosis that the doctor will consider. Panic disorder is characterized by sudden attacks of intense fear, while specific phobia refers to an irrational fear of specific objects or situations. Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder involves perfectionism, rigidity, and strict adherence to rules, rather than obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

A Woman Has Difficulty Concentrating on Her Job at Work