Which disorder is characterized by unwanted thoughts and fears leading to repetitive behaviors?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. These might include fears of contamination, harming others, or doubts about having done something correctly. In response to these distressing thoughts, individuals with OCD feel compelled to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts, known as compulsions, aimed at reducing the anxiety produced by the obsessions or preventing a feared event. Common compulsions include excessive handwashing, counting, checking, or arranging items in a particular order.

The other disorders listed do not fit this specific description. Anxiety disorders can encompass a range of issues involving generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or panic, but they do not specifically include the ritualistic behaviors connected with OCD. Bipolar disorder is primarily characterized by mood swings ranging from manic episodes to depressive states, without the specific patterns of compulsive behavior seen in OCD. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is marked by symptoms following exposure to a traumatic event, such as flashbacks, avoidance behaviors, and hyperarousal, but does not generally involve the obsessions and compulsions that define OCD. Thus, the clear alignment of unwanted thoughts