A client is preoccupied with thoughts about locking the front door every time he leaves his house. What disorder is he likely experiencing?

The client’s preoccupation with thoughts about locking the front door each time they leave is indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In OCD, individuals experience intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that cause significant anxiety or distress, leading them to engage in repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) in an attempt to alleviate that anxiety.

In this scenario, the obsessive thoughts revolve around the need to ensure the front door is locked, suggesting a fear of something bad happening if they do not perform this action. This behavior can interfere with the daily functioning of the individual, as they may spend excessive amounts of time checking the door, which is characteristic of OCD. This distinguishes it from other disorders.

For example, acute stress disorder typically involves symptoms occurring after experiencing a traumatic event but does not focus on specific compulsive behaviors related to locking doors. Generalized anxiety disorder encompasses a broader range of excessive worries about various aspects of life, rather than specific compulsions like those seen in OCD. Agoraphobia involves fear or avoidance of places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable, not specifically fixation on a behavior such as door locking. Thus, the symptoms described align most closely with OCD.