The client who engages in frequent hand washing is most likely doing so to accomplish which of the following?

The client who engages in frequent hand washing is most likely doing so to accomplish which of the following?

• A. Control the environment
• B. Be noticed
• C. Reduce anxiety
• D. Prevent himself from being idle

Answer: (C)

Frequent hand washing is a ritual used to relieve distress caused by obsessive thoughts about contamination. The action provides temporary anxiety relief, which is why the behavior becomes repetitive and persists despite being time-consuming or disruptive. The primary motivation is to reduce anxiety, not to control the environment, seek attention, or prevent idleness. In practice, this pattern suggests a coping mechanism tied to anxiety or an OCD process, where the ritual serves to neutralize or lessen distress rather than fulfill other social or functional goals.

Frequent hand washing is a ritual used to relieve distress caused by obsessive thoughts about contamination. The action provides temporary anxiety relief, which is why the behavior becomes repetitive and persists despite being time-consuming or disruptive. The primary motivation is to reduce anxiety, not to control the environment, seek attention, or prevent idleness. In practice, this pattern suggests a coping mechanism tied to anxiety or an OCD process, where the ritual serves to neutralize or lessen distress rather than fulfill other social or functional goals.