Are you constantly preoccupied with thoughts and worries that take up a lot of your time? Do you find yourself compelled to perform repetitive activities or rituals that make it hard to move forward in life? You could be living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and benefit from our self-assessed OCD test.
OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts that can cause extreme distress and lead to an uncontrollable urge to perform repetitive behaviors. About 1 in 40 adults and 1 in 100 children have OCD, with many more undiagnosed cases.
If you’re wondering if you may have OCD, this self-diagnosis test can help guide you in the right direction. First, let’s define OCD and understand its common symptoms. Then, answer our 12-question OCD test to know whether you need additional support to reduce your symptoms.
What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
OCD is an anxiety disorder that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. It is characterized by intrusive thoughts or obsessions resulting from obsessive worries and doubts or urges to do something repeatedly.
People with OCD may develop a variety of rituals and compulsions to cope with their anxiety, such as checking things repeatedly, counting items, repeating words or actions, avoiding certain people or places, and more.
Not everyone who experiences OCD has the same set of symptoms. Which symptoms you experience is often dependent on the type of OCD you have. There are four main types of OCD: Contamination, Harm, Symmetry and Order, and Hoarding. For more detailed information, visit our article about The 4 Different Types of OCD.
Next, let’s understand the signs and symptoms of OCD.
Common OCD Symptoms
OCD can present itself in many different ways. Keep in mind that you do not need to experience all of these symptoms for OCD to be affecting your life.
Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of OCD:
- Constant worrying or rumination about a specific issue or topic
- Intrusive thoughts that won’t go away no matter how hard you try
- Fear of contamination, dirt, germs, or illness
- Extreme distress when things are not just right or in order
- Compulsive grooming, cleaning, washing, and checking rituals
- Uncontrollable urges to repeat words, actions, or thoughts
- Need to ask for reassurance frequently
- Difficulties making decisions or being able to “let go” of a thought or action until it is done
If you recognize yourself in any of the above signs and symptoms, you may have OCD.
The OCD Test
This self-assessed OCD test is meant to understand better your current patterns and behaviors and if OCD could be negatively affecting your quality of life.
It’s important to remember that self-diagnosis is not a substitute for professional advice. However, answering these twelve questions can help you gain perspective on whether or not seeking professional help may be beneficial for managing your symptoms.
Before starting, remember that there are no correct answers to these questions. Answer each question honestly, thinking about your patterns and behaviors over time, not just isolated incidents. Ok, let’s get started!
- Am I unable to control unwanted behaviors?
- Do I experience persistent, intrusive thoughts that interfere with my daily functioning? \
- Do I find myself excessively focused on details?
- Do I have difficulty making decisions?
- Do I feel excessive worry about getting things “just right”?
- Do I spend excessive time on tasks that others could complete more quickly?
- Am I so focused on details that it interferes with my ability to see the bigger picture?
- Am I terrified of making mistakes or being responsible for something bad happening?
- Does the prospect of slight or major change make me anxious or overwhelmed?
- Does the thought of deviating from my routine cause me immense anxiety?
- Do I experience a fear of being embarrassed or judged by others?
- Do I feel the need to seek reassurance from others repeatedly?
- Do I need to perform specific rituals or routines repeatedly to reduce anxiety?
- Do I have difficulty discerning what is real and what is not?
- Do I struggle to discard items that might be considered useless by others?
- Do I feel uncomfortable around people or situations that are unpredictable?
- Do I find myself obsessively focusing on perceived dangers and threats?
- Do I avoid certain activities, places, or people due to my fears?
- Am I preoccupied with thoughts of order, neatness, and organization?
- Do I experience an intense fear of contamination or the spread of germs?
Should I Talk To A Therapist?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to contact a mental health professional for an evaluation. Professional counseling and therapy can help you gain the insight and understanding needed to manage your symptoms and live a life of improved quality.
In many cases, OCD can be managed through therapy and medications that help reduce the compulsion to perform these repetitive behaviors. For diagnosis and treatment, seek out a counselor who specializes in OCD because they can better understand the struggles you face.
With proper diagnosis, treatment, and management, you can learn to take control of your OCD symptoms and enjoy a more fulfilling life.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms associated with OCD, know that treatment is very effective. With professional assessment and diagnosis, treatment can be tailored to provide the support and understanding needed to manage your symptoms better and live a more fulfilling life.
Here are Makin Wellness, we specialize in many areas of mental health, including OCD. We have counselors available to provide the diagnosis, treatment, and coping skills necessary to live your best life. If you want guidance in navigating your OCD and need a counselor, call us or start here to make an appointment today.
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