Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Mood Disorder Self-Test
These checklists are adapted from:
The American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
Washington, D.C. American Psychiatric Association, 1994
Mood Disorder Self-Test
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a common, disabling anxiety disorder. Three percent of the population will suffer from it at some time in their lives. It is more common than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder but it is well concealed and rarely diagnosed.
You may have OCD if:
- You have recurring, intrusive, disturbing thoughts that cause you anxiety and distress.
- These persisting thoughts are not related to actual events.
- You use other thoughts or actions to try and stop the original thought process.
- You are aware that the thoughts are untrue and from your own mind.
- You have repetitive and meaningless behaviors and thought rituals that you must do to neutralize the unwanted thoughts, such as hand-washing, ordering, checking, praying, counting, or repeating yourself (among others).
- You are embarrassed by the thoughts and resulting actions, they consume your daily time but you have no control over them.
The anxiety associated with OCD can be overwhelming and is very disturbing for the victim who feels powerless to control the thoughts. The most common obsessions are fear of contamination by dirt or germs, fear of harm to self or others, fear of illness, fear of sexual thoughts, and fear of committing sins. The most common repetitive rituals to suppress the fearful thoughts are repetitive cleaning, recitation of a phrase or number, touching, checking of locks, excessive orderliness, and hoarding. It is not uncommon for someone with OCD to wash his or her hands thirty times a day to stop contamination.
These acts are purposeless, time-consuming, and unwanted. They are very disruptive to relationships and to one's performance at home or work. The victim hates doing it but must continue the act until they get a sense of completion that may require a large number of repetitions. During the compulsion there is never a sense that the actions has been completed correctly. Some have described it like an itch that won't go away until it is scratched in a certain way and a certain number of times.
Anxiety and depression are often so intertwined that they are indistinguishable. They both have negative thoughts that can't be shut off and they both respond to the same antidepressants that are designed to restore thought control.
These checklists are adapted from:
The American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition.
Washington, D.C. American Psychiatric Association, 1994
Depression
Anxiety
Mood Swings, Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
Schizophrenia
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
For more information visit Dr. Mullen's:
Question and Answer pages: Dr. Mullen answers common mental health questions
These tests are for informational purposes only. They are not a diagnosis.
For a complete diagnosis, explanation, and treatment make an appointment to see your family doctor. Please read our disclaimer.
