Which statement best describes OCD?

Which statement best describes OCD?

• A. A mood disorder with persistent sadness
• B. Obsessional thoughts with repetitive compulsions
• C. A disorder with memory loss
• D. A condition with delusions only

Answer: (B)

OCD is defined by a pattern of intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety, and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform to reduce that distress. The combination of these obsessions and compulsions is what characterizes the disorder. For example, someone might have persistent fears about contamination (obsession) and repeatedly wash their hands or clean repeatedly to relieve the anxiety (compulsion). This description is distinct from a mood disorder with persistent sadness (that would be depression), a disorder with memory loss (amnesia or dementia), or a condition with delusions only (psychotic disorders where fixed false beliefs are the main feature). So the best description is obsessional thoughts with repetitive compulsions.

OCD is defined by a pattern of intrusive, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) that cause anxiety, and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that the person feels driven to perform to reduce that distress. The combination of these obsessions and compulsions is what characterizes the disorder. For example, someone might have persistent fears about contamination (obsession) and repeatedly wash their hands or clean repeatedly to relieve the anxiety (compulsion).

This description is distinct from a mood disorder with persistent sadness (that would be depression), a disorder with memory loss (amnesia or dementia), or a condition with delusions only (psychotic disorders where fixed false beliefs are the main feature). So the best description is obsessional thoughts with repetitive compulsions.