Do I Have Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
The following set of questions is designed to help you get a better idea of whether or not you exhibit signs of OCD. We’ll also help you determine the severity of those signs.
Choose the most relevant response to your situation. If you are unsure, please estimate to the best of your ability.
This questionnaire is a self-report version of the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), the “gold standard” for measuring OCD symptom severity. The YBOCS is widely used by mental health professionals because of its reliability and validity in measuring the extent of OCD symptoms and their impact on a person's life.
This questionnaire however, is not exhaustive and is not meant to replace a comprehensive assessment by a qualified mental health professional.
Questions 1 to 5 are about your obsessive thoughts
Obsessions are unwanted ideas, images or impulses that intrude on thinking against your wishes and efforts to resist them. They usually involve themes of harm, risk and danger. Common obsessions are excessive fears of contamination; recurring doubts about danger, extreme concern with order, symmetry, or exactness; fear of losing important things.
The next several questions are about your compulsive behaviors.
Compulsions are urges that people have to do something to lessen feelings of anxiety or other discomfort. Often they do repetitive, purposeful, intentional behaviors called rituals. The behavior itself may seem appropriate but it becomes a ritual when done to excess. Washing, checking, repeating, straightening, hoarding and many other behaviors can be rituals. Some rituals are mental. For example, thinking or saying things over and over under your breath.
How much of your time is occupied by obsessive thoughts? How frequently do the obsessive thoughts occur?
How much do your obsessive thoughts interfere with your social or work functioning? (If you are currently not working, please think about how much the obsessions interfere with your everyday activities).
How much distress do your obsessive thoughts cause you?
How often do you try to disregard these thoughts and let them pass naturally through your mind?
How successful are you in disregarding your obsessive thinking? (Note: Do not include here obsessions stopped by doing compulsions).
How much time do you spend performing compulsive behavior? How frequently do you perform compulsions?
How much do your compulsive behaviors interfere with your social or work functioning? (If you are not currently working, please think about your everyday activities).
How would you feel if prevented from performing your compulsion(s)? How anxious would you become?
How much of an effort do you make to resist the compulsions? Or how often do you try to stop the compulsions?
How much control do you have over the compulsive behavior? How successful are you in stopping the ritual(s)?
Your scores indicate that you do not have any OCD symptoms. Your thoughts and behaviors do not seem to interfere with your daily functioning at the moment. We recommend that you continue to monitor your thoughts and behaviors to ensure that they do not deteriorate, and if they do sign up for treatment through StopOCD. It may be beneficial to build greater awareness of your triggers by keeping a diary or journal of your compulsions, intrusive thoughts and emotions. You can also consult the following resources:
Your scores indicate that you have mild OCD symptoms. Your obsessive thoughts and compulsions do not appear to interfere significantly with your daily functioning, however they seem to cause you some level of distress and impairment. We recommend signing up for treatment through StopOCD in order to help alleviate and manage your difficulties.
Your scores indicate that you have moderate OCD symptoms. Your obsessive thoughts and compulsions appear to interfere with your daily functioning and cause you distress. We recommend signing up for treatment through StopOCD in order to help alleviate and manage your difficulties.
Your scores indicate that you have severe OCD symptoms. Your obsessive thoughts and compulsions appear to significantly interfere with your daily functioning and cause you considerable distress. We recommend signing up for treatment through StopOCD in order to help alleviate and manage your difficulties.
Your scores indicate that you have extremely severe OCD symptoms. Your obsessive thoughts and compulsions significantly interfere with your daily functioning and cause you a great deal of distress. We strongly recommend signing up for treatment through StopOCD in order to help alleviate and manage your difficulties.
