Which disorder involves obsessions and compulsive rituals to alleviate anxiety?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by the presence of obsessions, which are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. To alleviate this anxiety, individuals with OCD often engage in compulsive behaviors or rituals. These compulsions are repetitive actions or mental acts performed in response to the obsessions, aimed at reducing the anxiety or preventing a feared event from occurring.

In contrast, the other disorders listed do not inherently involve this cycle of obsessions and compulsions. For example, body dysmorphia focuses on a distorted view of one's body and is typically centered on preoccupations with perceived flaws, but it doesn't involve compulsions to manage anxiety in the same way as OCD. Trichotillomania, or hair-pulling disorder, involves pulling out hair but is more about a physical behavior than a response to obsessions. Hoarding involves the excessive accumulation of items and the difficulty in discarding them, primarily driven by a strong emotional attachment to possessions rather than a cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Therefore, OCD is distinct in its characteristic cycle of obsession and compulsion, specifically aimed at managing anxiety.