What aspect of OCD primarily consists of intrusive thoughts?

The correct answer is obessions, which are a hallmark feature of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Obsessions refer specifically to intrusive thoughts that repeatedly enter a person’s mind, causing significant anxiety or distress. These thoughts are often unwanted and can lead individuals to engage in compulsive behaviors as a way to manage the anxiety that arises from them.

Understanding this concept is crucial for recognizing how OCD functions. Obsessions can manifest in various forms, such as fears of contamination, fears of harming oneself or others, or concerns related to symmetry or order. The cognitive aspect of OCD, represented by obsessions, is what differentiates it from behaviors or compulsions, which are the actions taken in response to those thoughts.

While cognitive distortions may play a role in shaping the experience of obsessions, they are a broader term that encompasses various incorrect ways of thinking that can contribute to negative emotions. Repetitive tasks and compulsions relate to behaviors performed to alleviate the distress caused by obsessions but do not specifically denote the intrusive thoughts themselves.

Thus, focusing on the nature of intrusive thoughts, it is clear that obsessions are the aspect of OCD that primarily consists of these distressing and unwanted ideas.