Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is classified as which type of disorder?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is classified as an anxiety disorder because its primary features involve significant anxiety and distress associated with obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Individuals with OCD often experience intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that generate anxiety, and they may engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) in an attempt to reduce that anxiety or prevent a feared outcome. This cycle of obsession and compulsion highlights the disorder's deep connection with anxiety responses, which is why it falls under this classification.

The categorization of OCD as an anxiety disorder distinguishes it from mood disorders, which primarily involve emotional states like depression or mania, personality disorders, which relate to enduring patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience, and psychological disorders, which is a broader term encompassing various mental health issues. Understanding OCD within the framework of anxiety disorders allows for better-targeted interventions and support for those affected.