Question 22

Engaging regularly in excessive handwashing is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Excessive handwashing often indicates the presence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), where individuals feel compelled to wash their hands repeatedly due to intrusive thoughts about contamination or cleanliness, leading to sore and red hands.

A) Obsessive-compulsive disorder

This option is correct because OCD is characterized by compulsions, such as excessive handwashing, driven by anxiety around cleanliness and contamination. Individuals with OCD may wash their hands to alleviate these anxieties, resulting in physical symptoms like sore and red hands.

B) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

While ADHD can lead to impulsive behaviors, it is not typically associated with compulsive handwashing. Individuals with ADHD may struggle with attention and hyperactivity, but the specific behavior of excessive handwashing is not a defining characteristic of this disorder.

C) Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia involves a range of symptoms including delusions and hallucinations, but it does not specifically correlate with excessive handwashing. Individuals with schizophrenia may exhibit unusual behaviors, but these are not typically compulsive in nature like those seen in OCD.

D) Nonsuicidal self-injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury refers to behaviors intended to cause harm to oneself, typically without the intent to die. While it may involve compulsive behavior, it does not specifically include excessive handwashing, which is more aligned with OCD.

Conclusion

The evidence clearly supports that obsessive-compulsive disorder is linked to excessive handwashing behaviors, leading to physical symptoms such as sore and red hands. Other options do not demonstrate the same direct relationship with the specific behavior of handwashing, thus confirming that OCD is the most relevant diagnosis in this context.