Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test & Self-Assessment

OCD is often a term that is misused to describe people who simply like order or have high standards of cleanliness. In reality, OCD is a serious mental health condition that centers on obsessions, compulsions, or both. OCD is not solely related to germs or cleanliness, but those can be common themes. If you find yourself having recurring, unwanted thoughts that disrupt your daily life and compel you to take an action, you may want to speak to a mental health professional about OCD.¹

OCD was previously categorized as an anxiety disorder but was reclassified in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM-5) under the heading of ‘Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders’. This was a controversial decision in the psychiatric community. Prior to the publishing of DSM-5, a paper entitled ‘Should OCD be classified as an Anxiety disorder in DSM-V?’, surveyed authors of OCD publications. Approximately 60% of respondents supported moving OCD out of the anxiety disorders section, while 40% disagreed.

While the exact cause of OCD is unknown, scientists believe that biological, genetic, and environmental factors play a role in its occurrence. Having another mental health disorder, having parents or other family members with OCD, and experiencing traumatic life events can increase your risk of developing OCD.

OCD is a serious mental illness that can become debilitating if left untreated. It is characterized by high levels of fear, anxiety, and emotional distress. In severe cases of OCD, the disorder can prevent the individual from functioning in daily life, interfere with relationships and responsibilities, and significantly impact quality of life.

OCD can affect children, adolescents, and adults alike. Most people with OCD are diagnosed by the age of 19, but onset after age 35 can occur. OCD typically presents earlier in males than in females. Having another mental health disorder, having parents or other family members with OCD, and experiencing traumatic life events can increase your risk of developing OCD.

The symptoms of OCD can worsen with age if left untreated. Those diagnosed with OCD in adolescence have a 60% chance of the illness becoming a lifelong disorder without the guidance of a mental health professional. In most cases, OCD symptoms can be alleviated with time and treatment, but others will be classified as chronic.

Rumination is the process of obsessively thinking about an idea, situation, or choice, which tends to be negative or troubling. Rumination is a central symptom of OCD that causes the individual to spend a significant amount of time thinking about or analyzing their obsessions. Rumination can be seriously damaging to one’s mental health, as it can interfere with daily functioning and cause the individual to withdraw from their responsibilities and relationships.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one means of treatment by which you can stop obsessive thoughts. Through CBT, therapists focus on helping you to recognize negative thoughts and find new ways of responding to them. CBT helps you stand back from these thoughts, look at the evidence closely, and tell yourself something more realistic or accurate. You cannot simply stop obsessive thoughts, but you can change the way you interpret meaning from them and how you respond.