Do I Have OCD?

Take this quiz to see if you might be experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Are you wondering if you might have OCD (or, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)? You may have seen TV and movies portray it as just a strong need for order, organization, or cleanliness, but that's actually not accurate at all.

OCD includes two components: unwanted fears or thoughts (called obsessions) which lead you to do repetitive behaviors to ease your fears (called compulsions). Only a doctor or mental health professional can officially diagnose you with OCD, but this quiz can help you get a jump start. Let's get started.

Disclaimer: This quiz is not meant to be a diagnostic tool and shouldn’t be used as one. If you suspect OCD, see a licensed mental health professional to address your concerns.

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Questions Overview

1. I feel driven to check things a ton of times (example: checking that the door is locked or checking that you don't match the symptoms listed for a disease that you're afraid of).
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
2. When I think I’ve touched something dirty, I need to wash my hands over and over again.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
3. I’m constantly concerned that I’m going to get contaminated with germs, dirt, chemicals, or an infectious disease.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
4. I have frequent intrusive thoughts or mental images that make me uncomfortable or cause me distress.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
5. I’m really worried about doing something that will accidentally cause harm to people (like leaving the curling iron on and starting a fire).
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
6. I often feel the need to count while doing tasks or repeat tasks a certain number of times.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
7. I’m constantly worried about doing the “right” thing, and I’m terrified of doing the “wrong” thing or making a mistake.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
8. When I’m worried about something, I absolutely can’t stop thinking about it until I seek out excessive reassurance from someone.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
9. I need things to be in a certain order or arranged a certain way, and if they aren’t, it causes me a lot of distress.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
10. I avoid certain activities or places (like driving or public bathrooms) because they cause me way too much anxiety.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
11. I find it difficult to control my thoughts or actions, even when I know they aren’t logical.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree
12. I spend more than an hour every day worrying or engaging in repetitive behaviors to soothe my worries.
  1. Strongly agree
  2. Slightly agree
  3. Slightly disagree
  4. Strongly disagree

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What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition in which a person experiences frequent unwanted thoughts or fears (called obsessions), which drives them to do repetitive behaviors (called compulsions). These symptoms tend to be very distressing and time-consuming, and they can significantly interfere with daily life. OCD is a chronic condition, meaning that it is usually long-lasting, but symptoms can wax and wane over time.[1]

Symptoms of OCD

  • People with OCD may experience symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. These symptoms tend to be uncontrollable, even when the sufferer knows that they are excessive or illogical, which can cause significant distress. Those with OCD generally spend more than 1 hour a day on their obsessions and/or compulsions, which interfere with their normal activities and day-to-day life. Here is a breakdown of what obsessions and compulsions can look like:[2]
    • Obsessions are recurring thoughts, worries, urges, or mental images that are intrusive, unwanted, and distressing. Common obsessions include:
      • Fear of contamination or germs
      • Fear of harming yourself or others by mistake (for example, worrying that you’ll accidentally leave the stove on and start a fire)
      • Fear of harming yourself or others on purpose (for example, worrying that you’ll suddenly lose control of your behavior and act on a violent impulse)
      • Excessive concern about morality (whether or not your actions are “right” or “wrong”)
      • Intense fear of making a mistake
      • Unwanted and distressing thoughts or mental images that have to do with taboo subjects (like sex, religion, or harm)
      • Need for order, symmetry, or neatness
    • Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that someone feels the urge to perform to soothe their anxiety or distress, usually as a response to an obsession. Common compulsions include:
      • Washing your hands, bathing, or cleaning surfaces over and over again
      • Repeatedly checking things (like whether the door is locked, the stove is off, or the curling iron is unplugged)
      • Excessively checking to make sure that you haven’t caused someone harm (for example, circling the block repeatedly when driving to make sure you haven’t accidentally hit someone or something)
      • Constantly seeking reassurance about your worries or anxieties
      • Ritualistic behaviors having to do with numbers or counting (such as needing to do a task a specific number of times, or needing to repeat a phrase a certain amount of times)
      • Repeating certain words or prayers mentally[3]

Treatments for OCD

  • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can be an effective treatment for OCD. This type of therapy helps people examine and understand harmful or untrue ways of thinking, so they can replace these unhelpful patterns with healthier coping strategies.[4]
    • Exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP) is a specific type of CBT that is especially effective for those with OCD. It involves gradually exposing someone to situations that trigger their obsessions, then preventing them from engaging in the compulsive behavior they’d usually do. For example, this may mean having the person touch an object they would deem “dirty” or “contaminated,” and then preventing them from washing their hand afterward. This type of therapy can be difficult, but over time, it can help people with OCD gain more freedom from their compulsions.[5]
  • Medication
    • Antidepressants that target serotonin (SSRIs) are the most common medication prescribed to treat OCD. It can take about 8-12 weeks for symptoms to start to improve after starting antidepressants, and a higher dose may be required than is typically used to treat depression, but many people who have OCD do find them to be effective (especially in combination with therapy).[6]

Tips for Living with OCD
In addition to seeking out treatment with a therapist and/or psychiatrist, it’s important to practice self-care. Living with OCD can be very difficult, so taking care of your mind and body and being kind to yourself is essential! Here are some self-care tips that may help you manage your symptoms:

  • Getting 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night
  • Staying active and exercising regularly
  • Making time in your schedule to do the hobbies you love
  • Spending more time outside in nature
  • Incorporating relaxing practices like meditation or yoga into your routine
  • Spending quality time with friends and family members who understand OCD and leaning on them for support[7]

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Medical Disclaimer

Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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References

  1. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9490-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
  2. ↑ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
  3. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9490-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
  4. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9490-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
  5. ↑ https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/what-is-obsessive-compulsive-disorder
  6. ↑ https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
  7. ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9490-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorder