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.

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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.

Next

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.

Next

How much of your time is occupied by obsessive thoughts? How frequently do the obsessive thoughts occur?

None
Less than 1 hour per day, or occasional intrusions
1 to 3 hours per day, or frequent intrusions
More than 3 hours and up to 8 hours per day, or very frequent intrusions
More than 8 hours per day, or near-constant intrusions

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).

No interference
Mild, slight interference with social or occupational activities, but overall performance not impaired
Moderate, definite interference with social or occupational performance, but still manageable
Severe interference, causes substantial impairment in social or occupational performance
Extreme, incapacitating interference

How much distress do your obsessive thoughts cause you?

None
Mild, infrequent, and not too disturbing distress
Moderate, frequent, and disturbing distress, but still manageable
Severe, very frequent, and very disturbing distress
Extreme, near-constant, and disabling distress

How often do you try to disregard these thoughts and let them pass naturally through your mind?

I always let the obsessions pass naturally through my mind.
I disregard them most of the time (i.e., more than half the time).
I make some effort to disregard them.
I rarely try to disregard the obsessions.
I never try to disregard the obsessions.

How successful are you in disregarding your obsessive thinking? (Note: Do not include here obsessions stopped by doing compulsions).

Always successful.
Usually successful in disregarding obsessions.
Sometimes successful in disregarding obsessions.
Rarely successful in disregarding obsessions.
I am rarely able to even momentarily disregard the obsessions.

How much time do you spend performing compulsive behavior? How frequently do you perform compulsions?

None
Less than 1 hour per day is spent performing compulsions, or occasional performance of compulsive behaviors
1 to 3 hours per day are spent performing compulsions, or frequent performance of compulsive behaviors
More than 3 hours and up to 8 hours per day are spent performing compulsions, or very frequent performance of compulsive behaviors
More than 8 hours per day are spent performing compulsions, or near-constant performance of compulsive behaviors

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).

No interference
Mild, slight interference with social or occupational activities, but overall performance not impaired
Moderate, definite interference with social or occupational performance, but still manageable
Severe interference, substantial impairment in social or occupational performance
Extreme, incapacitating interference

How would you feel if prevented from performing your compulsion(s)? How anxious would you become?

Not at all anxious
Only slightly anxious if compulsions prevented
Anxiety would mount but remain manageable if compulsions prevented
Prominent and very disturbing increase in anxiety if compulsions interrupted
Extreme, incapacitating anxiety from any intervention aimed at reducing the compulsions

How much of an effort do you make to resist the compulsions? Or how often do you try to stop the compulsions?

I make an effort to always resist
I try to resist most of the time (i.e., more than half the time)
I make some effort to resist
I yield to almost all compulsions without attempting to control them, but I do so with some reluctance
I completely and willingly yield to all compulsions

How much control do you have over the compulsive behavior? How successful are you in stopping the ritual(s)?

I have complete control
Usually I can stop compulsions or rituals with some effort and willpower
Sometimes I can stop compulsive behavior but only with difficulty
I can only delay the compulsive behavior, but eventually it must be carried to completion
I am rarely able to even momentarily delay performing the compulsive behavior
Your score:
?
None

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 score:
?
Mild

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 score:
?
Moderate

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 score:
?
Severe

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 score:
?
Extremely Severe

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.

You fit the program
Get guidance and life changing tools through our online platform and direct support from an expert therapist
Start the program
Get started with StopOCD
You fit the program
Get guidance and life changing tools through our online platform and direct support from an expert therapist
Start the program
Get started with StopOCD
You fit the program
Get guidance and life changing tools through our online platform and direct support from an expert therapist
Start the program
Get started with StopOCD
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