Your client has obsessive-compulsive disorder with ritualistic behavior. Which of the following statements would support this diagnosis?

Your client has obsessive-compulsive disorder with ritualistic behavior. Which of the following statements would support this diagnosis?

• A. I feel so guilty about not cleaning.
• B. I hate the thoughts I have. I feel better when I resist the thoughts.
• C. I feel safe only after I check all my door and window locks three times before I go to bed.
• D. Sometimes I have to wash my hands 20 to 30 times each day.

Answer: (B)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and the repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) used to reduce the associated anxiety. The statement describes having thoughts that the person hates and feeling better when trying to resist those thoughts. This directly signals the presence of distressing intrusive thoughts and an effort to control or alleviate that distress, which aligns with OCD with ritualistic behavior. While ritual-like actions such as checking doors or washing hands can be part of OCD, this option highlights the core experience of obsessions and the attempt to manage them, making it the best fit for supporting the diagnosis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and the repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) used to reduce the associated anxiety. The statement describes having thoughts that the person hates and feeling better when trying to resist those thoughts. This directly signals the presence of distressing intrusive thoughts and an effort to control or alleviate that distress, which aligns with OCD with ritualistic behavior. While ritual-like actions such as checking doors or washing hands can be part of OCD, this option highlights the core experience of obsessions and the attempt to manage them, making it the best fit for supporting the diagnosis.