Question 1

What of the following are among the most common obsessive thoughts in people with OCD?

Accepted Answer

Fear of contamination and fear of harming others are among the most common obsessive thoughts in people with OCD, whereas the other options are not necessarily related to OCD.

Question 2

Mark feels the need to tap everything within his arms reach twice. He doesn't have any particular thoughts associated with this, he just becomes anxious if he doesn't do it, because "something bad might happen." Mark

Accepted Answer

Mark's behavior of tapping everything within his arms reach twice in order to prevent something bad from happening shows signs of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Question 3

Persistent and recurrent thoughts are

Accepted Answer

Persistent and recurrent thoughts are obsessions, which are a common symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Compulsions (choice A) are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that a person feels compelled to perform in response to an obsession. Delusions (choice B) are false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary. Hallucinations (choice C) are sensory experiences that seem real but are not triggered by an external stimulus.

Question 4

Some things seem to be consistent across all the different forms that obsessive-compulsive disorder takes. These include

Accepted Answer

The overwhelming fear of something terrible happening is a common trait among those with OCD, regardless of the form it takes. A is incorrect, as aggressive and impulsive personalities may be more associated with other disorders such as borderline personality disorder. C is incorrect, as individuals with OCD may also experience depressive and other mood disorders. D is incorrect, as some individuals with OCD are aware that their compulsive actions are unnecessary and irrational, but still feel compelled to perform them due to the anxiety and fear they experience.

Question 5

What do all of the compulsions seen in OCD have in common?

Accepted Answer

All compulsions seen in OCD are engaged in as means of alleviating tension or anxiety. This is the common feature of all compulsions in OCD, regardless of the specific behavior or action being repeated.

Question 6

Jessica spends much of her day counting or saying certain words to herself. When she is not doing this, she is checking whether she left her doors unlocked. These symptoms illustrate

Accepted Answer

compulsions.

Question 7

Which of the following is a common type of obsession seen in OCD?

Accepted Answer

Fear of contamination

Question 8

Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Accepted Answer

Most people with obsessive-compulsive disorder experience both obsessions and compulsions.

Question 9

Which of the following is true of obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Accepted Answer

OCD tends to begin in adolescence or early adulthood, but it is not uncommon in children. The other options are incorrect.

Question 10

Which of the following is one of the five primary types of compulsive acts seen in individuals with OCD?

Accepted Answer

Cleaning is one of the five primary types of compulsive acts seen in individuals with OCD, along with checking, counting, hoarding, and ordering/arranging. Fear of contamination and fear of danger are common obsessive fears that can lead to compulsive behaviors, but they are not the primary types of compulsive acts. Scanning is not typically considered one of the primary types of compulsive acts in OCD.

Question 11

Which of the following is unique about OCD, as compared to other anxiety disorders?

Accepted Answer

The incidence is about equal for men and women.

Question 12

Dagmar is a musician and she loves the fact that she constantly hears new melodies in her head. In fact, she cannot remember a time when she did not hear music. Why is this NOT an example of an obsession?

Accepted Answer

Obsessions must be intrusive thoughts the person finds disturbing.

Question 13

The effectiveness of Valium (or benzodiazepines) in treating GAD supports the hypothesis that

Accepted Answer

Valium and other benzodiazepines work by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA, which is involved in reducing anxiety. This supports the hypothesis that a deficiency in GABA function may underlie GAD. There is limited evidence for the other hypotheses listed.

Question 14

If a pharmaceutical company were looking for a drug that would maximally treat generalized anxiety disorder they would want one that

Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder is believed to be caused by imbalances in neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin. Drugs that increase GABA levels while regulating serotonin have been found to be effective in treating symptoms of anxiety. Drugs that suppress the activity of the locus coeruleus and the central gray may also have anxiolytic effects, but they do not address the underlying neurotransmitter imbalances that are thought to be responsible for the disorder. Decreasing GABA levels while increasing norepinephrine or decreasing serotonin levels and suppressing activity in the locus coeruleus would likely exacerbate symptoms of anxiety rather than treat them.

Question 15

Tara believes that it is extremely important to be clean. She cleans her kitchen and bathroom daily and the rest of the house at least once every few days. She uses antibacterial soap and sterile water to clean. She says she wants people to be able to eat off her floors. Tara is very proud of her house and the way she keeps it. She

Accepted Answer

While Tara's cleaning habits may be considered extreme by some, there is no evidence in the scenario to suggest that she has a mental disorder. It is possible that she simply values cleanliness and takes pride in her home.

Question 16

Which of the following is a disadvantage of treating GAD with a benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

Such drugs are frequently misused.

Question 17

Which of the following is a true statement about Mowrer's two-process theory of avoidance learning?

Accepted Answer

Mowrer's two-process theory of avoidance learning refers to the processes of classical and operant conditioning. It suggests that anxiety disorders develop through classical conditioning of a fear response to a previously neutral stimulus and the subsequent operant conditioning of avoidance behavior to reduce anxiety. Therefore, option D is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because the theory only explains the development of some anxiety disorders, not all. Option B is also incorrect because the theory can account for the development of panic disorder and OCD. Option C is incorrect because the theory does explain the effectiveness of extinction procedures in the treatment of OCD by suggesting that it aims to counteract the previous classical and operant conditioning.

Question 18

Which of the following is characteristic of the obsessions seen in OCD?

Accepted Answer

Individuals with OCD typically recognize that their obsessions are irrational, but they cannot resist performing compulsive behaviors in response to them. The obsessions are often intrusive and unwanted thoughts or images that cause significant anxiety or distress. They may be related to themes of contamination, harm, symmetry, or forbidden impulses, among others. The compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that are performed to reduce the anxiety or prevent a feared outcome associated with the obsessions.

Question 19

According to the behavioral viewpoint, compulsions are repeated because

Accepted Answer

Compulsions are repeated because they serve to reduce anxiety. This is a key aspect of the behavioral viewpoint and suggests that compulsions are learned behaviors that are reinforced by the reduction in anxiety or discomfort that they provide. Over time, the person can become increasingly reliant on these behaviors as a way of coping with stress and anxiety.

Question 20

Which of the following is necessary for a diagnosis of OCD?

Accepted Answer

The symptomatic behavior causing distress is a necessary criterion for a diagnosis of OCD. The presence of compulsive behaviors is a common symptom, but not necessary for diagnosis. A persistent awareness of the irrational nature of the obsessions (often referred to as insight) is also common but not necessary, and evidence of psychosis would actually exclude a diagnosis of OCD.

Quiz 6: Panic, Anxiety, and Their Disorders