Question

Malcolm worries that shaking hands with strangers will infect him with germs. Therefore, he washes his hands after every time he meets someone new. Malcolm is displaying signs of:
(A) obsessive compulsive disorder
(B) panic attack
(C) social phobia
(D) bipholar

Answer 1

Answer:

(A) obsessive compulsive disorder

Explanation:

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness that is characterized by the compulsion to perform certain tasks in a certain way and/or the preoccupation with certain thoughts uncontrollably. The latter is the obsessive component of OCD.

The classic OCD depiction is shown in the question, with a person obsessed with cleanliness and thus have a compulsion to wash his hands after meeting strangers to ensure that he is continously clean.

Though many of us might have certain characteristics that look 'OCD-like', a diagnosis can only be made when the behavior is causing distress and/or inability to function on a day-to-day basis.