Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test
Reviewed
Also called: OCD screening, Obsessive-compulsive disorder test
An obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) test can help find out if certain symptoms are caused by OCD or a physical condition. This helps to make sure you get the right treatment to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder. People with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both. The test may involve a physical exam, blood tests to rule out other causes, and a detailed interview or questionnaire by a mental health provider.
Specimen: Not applicable
Why this test may be ordered
- This test may be done if you or your child is having obsessive thoughts and/or showing compulsive behaviors.
- Common obsessions include fear of germs or contamination, fear that harm will come to yourself or loved ones, an overwhelming need for neatness and order, constant worries that you've left something undone, fear of losing or misplacing something, fear of losing control over your behavior, forbidden thoughts or images involving sex or religion, and aggressive thoughts toward yourself or others.
- Common compulsions include repeated hand washing, checking and rechecking that appliances and lights are turned off, ordering or arranging items in a particular way, repeating certain actions, constantly cleaning, repeatedly checking buttons and zippers on clothing, and counting in a certain pattern over and over.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for an OCD test.
self-report or clinician-administered questionnaire
There is no risk to having a physical exam or filling out a series of questions for a mental health provider.
Understanding results
To understand the results, your provider will consider your symptoms, medical history, and the results of other tests. Your symptoms would usually be considered obsessive-compulsive disorder when the thoughts or behaviors take up an hour a day or more, you can't control them, they may give some relief but you don't enjoy them, they interfere with daily life, and they are not caused by a substance use disorder.
- Screen-positive: Your responses suggest a higher likelihood of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Limitation: This is a screening result; it does not confirm a diagnosis. Next step: Prompt
- Screen-negative: Your responses suggest a lower likelihood of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Limitation: This is a screening result; it does not rule out the possibility of OCD. Next step: Routine
- The test is a screening assessment; it does not confirm a diagnosis.
- Results depend on honest and accurate self-reporting.
- There is a risk of false-positive or false-negative results.
- A physical exam and blood tests may be used to rule out other causes.
What to do next
If you are diagnosed with OCD, your provider may refer you to a mental health provider for treatment. Treatment may include talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, other mental health counseling, or medicines such as certain types of antidepressants.
- Do you have repeated unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause distress or anxiety?
- Do you feel the need to perform behaviors over and over to reduce anxiety or stop obsessive thoughts?
- Do these thoughts or behaviors take up an hour or more a day?
- Can you control these excessive thoughts and behaviors?
- Do the behaviors give you some relief from anxiety, but you don't enjoy performing them? Do they interfere with personal relationships, work, or other important parts of daily life?
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test