What feelings are typically associated with ritualistic behavior in clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Ritualistic behavior in clients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is primarily driven by a need to alleviate the intense anxiety that accompanies their obsessive thoughts. The rituals serve as compulsive actions that provide temporary relief from the overwhelming fear and anxiety triggered by these obsessions. This relief, however, often comes with a subsequent sense of guilt, as individuals may recognize that their rituals are excessive or irrational but feel compelled to perform them nonetheless. Therefore, the connection between anxiety and guilt is a hallmark of the experience for those with OCD. While other feelings, such as embarrassment or hopelessness, may be associated with the condition in a broader context, they are not directly tied to the ritualistic behaviors themselves in the way that anxiety and guilt are.