Which of the following does not describe an obsession? 1. Continually reliving a traumatic event. 2. An unwanted thought that a person finds intrusive and distressing. 3. A behavior that a person feels compelled to perform. 4. Something a person enjoys doing and talking about constantly. Codes:-

1. A

   1, 2, and 4

2. B

   2 and 4

3. C

   2,3 and 4

4. D

   1,3 and 4

Appeared in: GMCH Chandigarh - 2019

Explanation

• The question uses a negative frame, asking to identify the statements that do NOT define an obsession.
• Statement 2, 'An unwanted thought that a person finds intrusive and distressing,' is the precise clinical definition of an obsession.
• Statements 1, 3, and 4 describe other phenomena: PTSD re-experiencing, a compulsion, and a normal interest, respectively.
• Therefore, the correct answer is the combination of statements that are not obsessions, which are 1, 3, and 4.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option is incorrect because it includes statement 2. Statement 2 is the definition of an obsession, but the question asks for what is NOT an obsession.
• Option B: This option is incorrect because it includes statement 2. Statement 2 accurately describes an obsession, and the question requires identifying statements that do not.
• Option C: This option is incorrect because it includes statement 2. The question asks to identify the statements that do NOT describe an obsession, and statement 2 is the definition of one.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Distinguishing Obsessions from Compulsions and PTSD Symptoms as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Accurately differentiating between obsessions, compulsions, and PTSD symptoms is fundamental for correct diagnosis (e.g., OCD vs. PTSD) and subsequent treatment planning.
• Nurses play a key role in observing patient behaviors and cognitions. Understanding these distinctions allows for more accurate reporting and effective patient communication and education.
• What if? If a patient's intrusive thoughts were not distressing but were instead bizarre and they believed them to be controlled by an outside force, this would suggest a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia (thought insertion/broadcasting) rather than OCD.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the negative framing of the question: 'does not describe'. This means you are looking for the incorrect definitions of an obsession.
• Analyze each of the four numbered statements independently to determine if it fits the definition of an obsession.
• Recall or identify the clinical definition of an obsession: an unwanted, intrusive thought/image/urge that causes distress. This matches statement 2.
• Since statement 2 IS an obsession, any answer choice that includes it must be wrong for a 'does not describe' question.
• Evaluate the remaining statements: Statement 1 (reliving trauma) is PTSD. Statement 3 (compelled behavior) is a compulsion. Statement 4 (enjoyable activity) is an interest.
• Conclude that statements 1, 3, and 4 do NOT describe an obsession. Find the option that groups these three numbers together.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Distinguishing Obsessions from Compulsions and PTSD Symptoms
• Stem keywords: obsession, does not describe
• Lead-in keywords: does not
• Negative lead-in flag: The question asks what does NOT describe an obsession, requiring careful elimination of the correct definition.

Question ID

QytLKUY-MC_TBaZ0e9ltA

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) p. 1341-1343

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) pp. 6039-6041, 3797-3799