Could you be living with OCD?

Are you experiencing obsessive thoughts or compulsions? Try my simple test below and gain some insight on it.

The following test is not a diagnostic tool. It’s a tool that can indicate symptoms of OCD (i.e. repetitive thoughts or cycles of thoughts, incessant rumination, or compulsive acts that cannot be stopped). In the event you have more than 5 symptoms, you should talk to a psychotherapist/clinical mental health counselor, or psychiatrist; a medical professional with the credentials to diagnose OCD. The symptoms need to be present at least once a day on most days.

1. 1. Are you experiencing recurrent and insistent thoughts, compulsions, urges, and impulses that you find difficult to disengage from; whilst they disturb your daily routine and cause significant anxiety?
   2. Are you feeling unable to control the repetitive and persistent thoughts or compulsive behaviour?
   3. Are you trying to neutralize, or ignore the thoughts, urges compulsions through performing a particular ritual in an attempt to free yourself from the disturbing feelings? Yet, the obsessive urge soon returns. Does it feel there is no escape?
   4. Are you feeling unable to control/stop repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, checking the news/handphone/news/electrical appliances?
   5. Are you feeling unable to control/stop repetitive mental actions such as counting and repeating words/phrases?
   6. Are you feeling compelled to live in absolute order and symmetry? Do you correct your surrounding environment in order to achieve the acceptable levels of order and symmetry?
   7. Do you feel doom will follow if you don’t perform the obsessive routine rigidly?
   8. Are you experiencing challenges in concentrating? Do you feel that your mind is racing whilst you are compelled to keep thinking/behaving and adhere to the obsessive routine?
   9. Do you experience insurmountable irritability if you cannot engage in the compulsive routine of thoughts/words/actions that will neutralise the anticipated catastrophe?
   10. Do you realise that the anticipated doom is not realistically connected to the thoughts and actions you feel compelled to carry out?
   11. Are you having trouble maintaining close friendships and intimate relationships due to your obsessive thinking and compulsive acts/urges?
   12. Are you experiencing obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors about food intake (i.e. orthorexia, anorexia, bulimia, counting calories)?
   13. Are you having unwanted and persistent aggressive sexual thoughts/urges?
   14. Are you excessively scared of germs/viruses/contamination?
   15. Are you hoarding items that you don’t need or are damaged? Can you throw away items that belong to a different developmental era (i.e. items from past school years, redundant younger children’s items, old notebooks/books)?
   16. Are you picking your skin to the extend of causing self-harm (bleeding, cutting, scratching, hair/eyebrow pulling, eating your nails, picking wounds)?

This is an OCD inventory created by Maria Micha, Clinical Mental Health Counselor. It is not a diagnostic test. It offers an indication regarding Obsessive disorders to concerned individuals. If you have more than 5 of the symptoms listed, it is advisable to make an appointment with a certified mental health professional. OCD can be manifested in various forms and is usually presented with symptoms of depression, or excessive anxiety. Hence, affected individuals would be benefited by seeking treatment for OCD. In the absence of treatment, individuals living with OCD can deteriorate, and the potential comorbid symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidality can be magnified. The earlier treatment is sought, the less disrupted life will be. Individuals with OCD experience tremendous difficulties maintaining intimate relationships as their partners are finding their life together is significantly disrupted by the obsessive thoughts, compulsions and anticipated doom.

© Maria Micha. All Rights Reserved. All articles and content belong to Maria Micha and may not be reproduced or used without express permission.