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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Only a doctor or mental health professional can officially diagnose OCD, but now that you have a better understanding of your symptoms, you can meet with a psychiatrist, therapist, or your primary care doctor to figure out a treatment plan. OCD is typically treated with psychotherapy, medication, or some combination of the two.

If you\u2019re feeling overwhelmed with your OCD symptoms, you\u2019re not alone. When you\u2019re in the thick of it, living with OCD can feel like fighting a super tough battle, but thankfully, support and effective treatments are out there. It is possible to feel better, and you will<\/b> get through this!

  • Next Steps:<\/b> Reach out to a mental health professional or your primary care doctor so they can assess you for OCD and recommend a treatment plan.<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder","id":937953,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"},{"title":"How to Know if You Have OCD","id":1991695,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD-Step-7.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Have-OCD-Step-7.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Have OCD"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"It\u2019s unlikely that you have OCD.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it seems like you may have experienced one or two symptoms associated with OCD, but not to a severe degree, and not on a regular basis.

    For example, you might double or triple-check that the oven is off sometimes, but not every day. Or, you might get worried about germs around flu season, but not to the point that you\u2019re spending hours washing your hands or deep cleaning surfaces in your house.

    Regardless, the fact that you took this quiz shows that you take your mental health seriously, and you should be super proud of that! Keeping a close eye on how you\u2019re feeling and checking in with yourself can help you catch any mental health problems you may develop in the future, so it\u2019s a great habit to have.
    • Not sure if this is the right result?<\/b> At the end of the day, you know your own thoughts, symptoms, and mind best, and only a doctor can officially diagnose or rule out OCD. So, if you still feel concerned that you may have it, don\u2019t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. They can help assess your mental health and suggest any treatments that may be necessary.<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Know if You Have OCD","id":1991695,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD-Step-7.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Have-OCD-Step-7.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Have OCD"},{"title":"How to Overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder","id":937953,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"}],"minimum":0},{"text":"It doesn\u2019t seem like you have OCD.","meaning":"Based on your answers, it doesn\u2019t seem like you\u2019re experiencing symptoms of OCD. Sure, you may get a bit worried about germs sometimes or double-check that the door is locked on occasion, but these thoughts and actions don\u2019t happen regularly, and they don\u2019t dominate your life.

      Regardless, the fact that you took this quiz shows that you take your mental health seriously, and you should be super proud of that! Keeping a close eye on how you\u2019re feeling and checking in with yourself can help you catch any mental health problems you may develop in the future, so it\u2019s a great habit to have.
      • Not sure if this is the right result?<\/b> At the end of the day, you know your own thoughts, symptoms, and mind best, and only a doctor can officially diagnose or rule out OCD. So, if you still feel concerned that you may have it, don\u2019t hesitate to schedule an appointment with a mental health professional. They can help assess your mental health and suggest any treatments that may be necessary.<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Know if You Have OCD","id":1991695,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD","image":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/48\/Know-if-You-Have-OCD-Step-7.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Have-OCD-Step-7.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Have OCD"},{"title":"How to Overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder","id":937953,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder","image":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2d\/Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Step-13.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Overcome-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-Step-13.jpg","alt":"How to Overcome Obsessive Compulsive Disorder"}],"minimum":0}]" class="quiz_results_data"/>\"Which<\/picture>","alt":"Which Lana Del Rey Song Am I Quiz"},{"title":"What Is My Mental Age Quiz","id":13933939,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Mental-Age-Test","image":"\"Mental<\/picture>","alt":"What Is My Mental Age Quiz"},{"title":"Rizz Game: Test Your Rizz","id":14518355,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Rizz-Game","image":"\"Rizz<\/picture>","alt":"Rizz Game: Test Your Rizz"}],"number":1},{"text":"Happy","result":"Amazing! These fun quizzes should help you keep up those good vibes:","next_quizzes":[{"title":"Which Harry Potter Character Am I Quiz","id":13999680,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Harry-Potter-Character-Quiz","image":"\"Harry<\/picture>","alt":"Which Harry Potter Character Am I Quiz"},{"title":"Guess the Taylor Swift Song Quiz","id":14366332,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Guess-the-Taylor-Swift-Song","image":"\"Guess<\/picture>","alt":"Guess the Taylor Swift Song Quiz"},{"title":"What Disney Princess Am I Quiz","id":14180825,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/What-Disney-Princess-Are-You","image":"\"What<\/picture>","alt":"What Disney Princess Am I Quiz"}],"number":2}]}" class="quiz_questionnaire_data"/>

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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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