Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, intrusive, anxiety-provoking thoughts that are temporarily diminished by repetitive behaviors. This neurotic disorder strikes during childhood or adulthood and usually waxes and wanes throughout the patient's lifetime. Most sufferers have a number of symptoms that are similar to many others with OCD, and this has made it possible for a screening test to be developed. Psychological tests to determine the severity of OCD have also been created in the last few decades.
Screening Test
The University of Hamburg Obsession-Compulsion Inventory Screening Form is used as a basic screening tool to determine if a person has OCD. The participant is asked 27 true-false questions, and his responses are then divided into obsessions and compulsions. He is then told that he definitely has, probably has or does not have a clinically significant number of obsessions and compulsions. This screening test is best used in conjunction with a psychological examination conducted by a mental health professional.
A Severity Rating Test
The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale rates the severity of OCD symptoms and can be used upon initial diagnosis or to determine the success of treatment. The ten questions on the test are divided into obsessions and compulsions. The participant is first reminded of common obsessive and compulsive symptoms. He is then asked various things about his symptoms that indicate his time spent, distress level incurred and other issues relative to the symptoms. BrainPhysics.com states that the potential results are subclinical, mild, moderate, severe and extreme relative to obsessive and compulsive symptoms.
A Test for Symptom Improvement
The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised test contains 18 questions that assess symptom improvement (or the lack of improvement) from OCD treatment. This test is used to assess the participant's symptoms in six subtypes of OCD: cleaning, obsessing, hoarding, checking, washing and neutralizing. It also measures the patient's mental health in areas often related to obsessive-compulsive disorder, such as depression. This test is often utilized when time does not permit lengthy testing.
What to Do
If you suspect that you or a loved one suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder, seek help from a mental health provider. If needed, you can ask your primary care provider for guidance in finding an appropriate practitioner. Treatment, including medication or therapy, can greatly reduce the severity of symptoms in OCD.
