OCD Quiz & Test

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder noted for its unwanted thought patterns and fears. These feelings make a person engage in repetitive behaviors with little control. These behaviors, called compulsions, can cause distress if not completed. Many people suffering from OCD face debilitating limitations in daily tasks. Treatment can help.

If you have mild to severe symptoms of OCD, treatment can provide you with relief. Mental Health Hope connects you with the treatment options best suited for your needs. Reach out to us now to gain guidance.

If you are facing thoughts of hurting yourself or others, seek immediate help by calling 988.

What Is OCD?

OCD is a specific mental health disorder noted for obsessive actions that you feel you must complete. These compulsions interfere with your ability to engage in daily activities and create emotional distress. You feel driven to engage in the action, and when you do, it eases your stress. If you ignore the compulsion, it can make your thoughts uncontrollable and your urges intense.

Over time, OCD compulsions become rituals. You may feel as if you need to keep doing the same thing in the right order to avoid the symptoms and racing thoughts you have.

Many people suffer from OCD symptoms around a specific theme. This may include:

Contamination and cleaning-related compulsions
Symmetry and order compulsions ensure that everything is just right
Harm OCD, which includes fear of accidentally or intentionally harming yourself, is noted for intrusive violent urges
Taboo or forbidden thought compulsions, including those related to sex, religion, or morality
Hoarding-related OCD, including the difficulty discarding possessions or fearing the need for something later
Relationship—related OCD often revolves around the rightness of a relationship or a partner’s flaws
Health and illness-related OCD, including excessive worrying about illness or injury

A person with any of these or other themes feels like they have to act on that thought based on the ritual to reach a level of satisfaction. You fear what could happen if you don’t engage in the compulsion.

Many people with COD also suffer from embarrassment over their symptoms. They may not be able to explain them and feel out of control.

When Do You Need to See a Doctor for OCD?

If OCD symptoms impact your life, seeking help makes sense. Most people begin to see the onset of OCD symptoms in their teen and young adult years, but it can start younger. Severity from the start ranges widely. You should seek mental health treatment even if your symptoms do not seem severe. Treatment earlier may help minimize the impact on your life sooner.

If you are experiencing any of the following, seek treatment:

The compulsions and obsessions you have feel incredibly important to you, more than just something you want to do
Your actions impact your quality of life and relationships
You see your obsessions and compulsions increasing in intensity

It’s important to seek mental health treatment for OCD for various reasons. Most importantly, it impacts your quality of life. In addition, many people find that they spend an excessive amount of time engaging in ritualistic behaviors, and over time, health complications can develop, including damage to skin from frequent handwashing. It also creates difficulties in daily life.

Symptoms of OCD

Some of the different OCD patterns include:

Contamination obsessions with cleaning compulsions. Obsessions involving germs lead to compulsions like repetitive hand washing or cleaning.
Harm obsessions with checking compulsions. Fear of danger or harm causes compulsive checking to feel safe.
Symmetry obsessions with ordering compulsions. The need for symmetry drives behaviors like ordering or counting.
Obsessions with hidden compulsions. These include unwanted thoughts or thoughts or images related to sexual, violent, or religious fears. Mental rituals like repeating words or prayers are not visible.
Hoarding. Fear of losing important items causes people to collect mail, magazines, or junk.

The symptoms of OCD vary, but they often involve obsessions and compulsions that disrupt everyday life.

Types of OCD

OCD often centers around common types of obsessive thoughts and compulsions:

Obsessive thoughts include:

Fears of contamination
Fear of events like fire or burglary
Forbidden or unwanted sexual thoughts
Perfectionism and concern with symmetry

Common compulsions:

Hand washing, cleaning, avoiding touch
Checking lights, locks, or appliances repeatedly
Repeating actions like tapping or blinking
Arranging things in a specific way

How Is OCD Treated?

Treatment for OCD does not start until a formal evaluation occurs. A psychological evaluation will include discussing your thoughts and feelings with a licensed therapist. You will also have a physical exam.

Your treatment plan will depend on what your therapists and doctors find. Most people will benefit from the following treatment strategies:

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, involves working one-on-one with a treatment provider, such as a therapist, to explore your symptoms and why they occur. Most people will need ongoing and long-term treatment.

Some people will benefit from inpatient treatment for OCD, especially if their symptoms are significantly impactful on daily life. There are alternatives to a mental health hospital for OCD, including partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs. You may also benefit from a mental health retreat focused solely on OCD treatment.

Medications

Your treatment team may recommend the use of medications to support your recovery. These medications typically control symptoms and include antidepressants and psychiatric medications.

Medications are not simple and can take some time to work effectively. Your treatment team will work closely with you to find the right level of support for your needs while monitoring for side effects and complications.