Which symptom is characterized as an obsession in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

In obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), obsessions are defined as repetitive and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted. These thoughts often cause significant anxiety or distress. Among the options provided, intrusive thoughts best exemplify an obsession because they directly align with this definition. They are the thoughts that individuals with OCD cannot control, leading to a constant cycle of anxiety and the compulsion to act in response to those thoughts.

Other options present behaviors or feelings that do not fit the criteria for obsessions in OCD. For instance, the compulsion to organize implies a specific action taken in response to anxiety rather than the intrusive nature of thoughts themselves. Feelings of euphoria are unrelated to the experience of obsessions, as they do not reflect the anxiety or distress typically associated with OCD. Similarly, a fear of social interactions pertains more to social anxiety and does not encapsulate the intrusive thought pattern characteristic of obsessions in OCD. Understanding the distinction between obsessions and compulsions is vital in differentiating symptoms of OCD and recognizing their implications in treatment and management.