A man reports severe anxiety about getting lost while driving and frequently checks his GPS. What is the most likely diagnosis?

The scenario presented indicates that the man is experiencing severe anxiety related to a specific situation—getting lost while driving—and his behavior of frequently checking his GPS suggests a compulsive response to manage that anxiety. This pattern aligns closely with characteristics of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which is defined by the presence of obsessions (intrusive, unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to alleviate anxiety). In this case, the fear of getting lost serves as the obsession, while checking the GPS is the compulsion intended to neutralize that fear.

Understanding OCD's defining features helps clarify why this diagnosis would be the most appropriate. Generalized anxiety disorder typically involves excessive anxiety and worry across various situations, not just focused on one specific issue. Paranoid personality disorder relates more to pervasive distrust and suspicion of others rather than anxiety over personal situations. Specific phobia would involve intense fear of a particular object or situation; however, this scenario suggests a broader concern that fits within the framework of OCD rather than a simple phobia. Therefore, the combination of intrusive anxiety about getting lost and the compulsive checking behavior strongly supports the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder.