Read the passage and answer the questions:
Reeva noticed that Seema washes her hands very frequently. In addition to this, she used to walk only within the patterns drawn on the floor or road. Further, it was noticed that she was unable to control her preoccupation with specific ideas and failed to prevent herself from repeatedly carrying out a particular act or a series of acts. Therefore, Seema experiences anxiety and disturbances in her life. These pattern of thoughts and behaviour have affected her ability to carry out normal activities.
Seema’s behavior to avoid the anxiety stemming out from intrusive and/or unpleasant thoughts is called:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Compulsive behaviour
Option (1) Compulsive behaviour — Correct. It is the need to perform certain behaviours over and over again, such as washing, checking or counting. In obsessive-compulsive disorder the compulsion is what the person does to reduce the anxiety brought by unwanted thoughts. Seema’s repeated hand-washing and walking only within patterns are her compulsions.
Option (2) Obsessive behaviour — Incorrect. Obsession is the inability to stop thinking about a particular idea, which the person finds unpleasant. It is the intrusive thought itself, the source of the anxiety, not the behaviour used to avoid it.
Option (3) Social behaviour — Incorrect. This is any behaviour directed towards other people. Seema’s acts are private rituals, not social interaction.
Option (4) Productive behaviour — Incorrect. Productive behaviour achieves something useful. Her rituals interfere with her normal activities instead of producing anything.
Note: The passage of Q41-45 is the NCERT paragraph on obsessive-compulsive disorder — the hand-washing and the walking within patterns on the floor or road — written by NTA as the story of Seema. Read the examples in the disorders chapter closely; NTA turns them into case studies.
NCERT (2025-26): “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders Have you ever noticed someone washing their hands everytime they touch something, or washing even things like coins, or stepping only within the patterns on the floor or road while walking? People affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder are unable to control their preoccupation with specific ideas or are unable to prevent themselves from repeatedly carrying out a particular act or series of acts that affect their ability to carry out normal activities. Obsessive behaviour is the inability to stop thinking about a particular idea or topic. The person involved, often finds these thoughts to be unpleasant and shameful. Compulsive behaviour is the need to perform certain behaviours over and over again. Many compulsions deal with counting, ordering, checking, touching and washing.…” |