Define "obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders."

Prepare for the EPPP Abnormal Psychology Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders refer specifically to a range of mental health disorders that encompass obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its related conditions. This definition highlights that these disorders share common features characterized by intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors or mental acts enacted to reduce the distress caused by those thoughts (compulsions).

Additionally, this spectrum also includes disorders that exhibit similar features, such as Body Dysmorphic Disorder, Hoarding Disorder, and Trichotillomania (Hair-Pulling Disorder). These related conditions present symptoms that may not strictly align with OCD but are recognized as part of the same broader category due to their overlapping characteristics involving compulsive behaviors and obsessions.

The other options describe different categories of disorders that do not fit within the obsessive-compulsive framework. Sleep disturbances relate to different sleep disorders, anxiety disorders concerning social situations focus on social anxiety disorder, and conditions resulting from trauma pertain to PTSD and other trauma-related disorders. Thus, identifying the correct definition hinges on recognizing that obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders encapsulate OCD and disorders with similar symptomatology.

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