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.
Identify the psychological disorder Seema suffers from based on given diagnosis:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Option (1) Post-traumatic stress disorder — Incorrect. PTSD follows a traumatic event such as a disaster, an accident or war, with recurrent dreams, flashbacks and emotional numbing. Seema’s problem has no such event behind it.
Option (2) Obsessive-compulsive disorder — Correct. People with OCD are unable to control their preoccupation with specific ideas and unable to stop themselves from repeating an act or series of acts, which affects their normal activities. Seema’s frequent hand-washing and walking only within patterns on the floor fit this pattern.
Option (3) Bipolar disorder — Incorrect. Bipolar disorder is marked by alternating periods of mania and depression, a disorder of mood, not of repeated thoughts and acts.
Option (4) Conversion disorder — Incorrect. Here a person reports loss of a bodily function, such as paralysis or blindness, with no physical cause.
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.…” |