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Obsessive-compulsive disorder — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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EasyPsychiatry (outpatient management)Obsessive-compulsive disorderUSMLE Step 3

A 36-year-old woman has intrusive fears of contamination and spends 3 hours daily washing her hands. She recognizes the behavior is excessive but feels unable to stop. Symptoms impair her work. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

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Correct answer: C — Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessions and compulsions that are time-consuming and distressing, with preserved insight, indicate obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Reference: APA OCD guidance; DSM-5-TR criteria