When might a client with OCD feel compelled to complete their rituals?

A client with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often experiences intense anxiety and distress over intrusive thoughts or obsessions. These obsessions typically relate to fears of harmful outcomes. The compulsive behaviors or rituals that the client feels compelled to perform serve as an attempt to alleviate that anxiety and prevent the feared consequence from occurring.

Choosing to complete rituals when feeling a sense of urgency to avoid a particular outcome accurately reflects the core mechanism of OCD. Individuals often believe that by engaging in certain rituals, they can prevent harm or reduce anxiety, leading them to feel a pressing need to complete these actions to relieve their discomfort or anxiety.

In contrast, the other options suggest conditions that do not align with the experiences of individuals with OCD. For example, feeling prompted by others or needing support from friends may not capture the deeply ingrained anxiety and internal struggle that drives compulsive behaviors. Moreover, the notion of completing rituals during peaceful moments contradicts the compulsive nature of these behaviors, which are typically completed when the person feels anxiety or distress related to their obsessions. Thus, recognizing the urgency in the context of OCD is essential for understanding the compulsive nature of their rituals.