A nurse is caring for a client who is unable to make any decisions for themselves and needs constant reassurance. The nurse should identify that these are manifestations of which of the following personality disorders?

Choice A reason : Encouraging avoidance of anxiety-increasing situations may seem beneficial, but it can reinforce OCD behaviors. Avoidance prevents the client from learning how to cope with anxiety and can limit their ability to participate in daily activities⁴.

Choice B reason : Investigating what situations precipitate anxiety is a crucial step in managing OCD. Understanding the specific triggers can help in developing strategies to cope with and eventually reduce the anxiety associated with these situations. This approach is aligned with cognitive-behavioral therapy principles, which are effective in treating OCD⁴⁵.

Choice C reason : Teaching the client that compulsive behavior is excessive is part of psychoeducation. However, simply telling a client that their behavior is excessive without providing coping mechanisms can be unhelpful and may increase their anxiety. It's important to combine this with therapeutic techniques that help the client manage their compulsions⁴.

Choice D reason : Preventing the client from performing compulsive behavior abruptly can cause significant distress and may not be feasible or safe. Instead, treatment usually involves gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations and learning to resist the urge to perform compulsions, a technique known as exposure and response prevention (ERP)⁴.

Choice A reason : Benzodiazepines are not typically used for the long-term treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder due to the risk of dependence and because other medications, such as SSRIs, are more effective for long-term management⁵.

Choice B reason : Benzodiazepines are effective for the short-term management of panic attacks due to their rapid onset of action, which can quickly alleviate acute symptoms of anxiety and panic⁵⁹.

Choice C reason : Long-term treatment of agoraphobia generally involves psychotherapy and SSRIs or SNRIs rather than benzodiazepines, which can lead to dependence and are not recommended for long-term use⁵.

Choice D reason : Benzodiazepines are not the first-line treatment for depression and are generally not used for this purpose. Antidepressants and psychotherapy are the standard treatments for depression⁵.