OCD test online (Take this quick quiz)

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Hanan Parvez
MA Psychology
Updated:

woman doing obsessive cleaning

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition in which the sufferer has obsessive thoughts and engages in compulsive behaviors.

  • Obsessive thoughts: These are unwanted, unacceptable, and recurring intrusive thoughts that the person can’t seem to control despite wanting to.
  • Compulsions: When a person experiences obsessive thoughts, they feel compelled to perform certain repetitive tasks and rituals.

Obsessive thoughts are often of sexual or aggressive nature. These are anxiety-provoking thoughts not concerned with problems of the present. The person relieves the anxiety by indulging in compulsive behaviors such as:

  • Cleaning (e.g. repeated washing)
  • Checking (e.g. repeated checking door locks)
  • Hoarding (i.e. being unable to get rid of useless things)
  • Ordering (i.e. arranging items in order)

Since these compulsive behaviors relieve the anxiety generated by obsessive thoughts, they get reinforced leading to a vicious cycle. The person doesn’t want to think these bad thoughts and thinking them makes them conclude they’re bad, reducing self-confidence.

A key feature of disorders is that they’re distressing. If you clean your super dirty room all day, it makes sense and doesn’t cause you distress. Compulsive behaviors in OCD are useless and take time away from other important activities.

As OCD sufferers realize they have no control over their useless thoughts and compulsions, it causes them further distress.

ocd stages
OCD stages.

Taking the OCD-R test

This test uses the OCD-R scale consisting of 18 items. Each item has options on a 5-point scale ranging from Not at all to Extremely. This test is not meant to be a diagnosis. if you score high on this test, you’re advised to consult a professional for an in-depth assessment.

The results will be visible only to you and we don’t store them in our database.

OCD test

1. I have saved up so many things that they get in the way.

2. I check things more often than necessary.

3. I get upset if objects are not arranged properly.

4. I feel compelled to count while I am doing things.

5. I find it difficult to touch an object when I know it has been touched by strangers or certain people.

6. I find it difficult to control my own thoughts.

7. I collect things I don’t need.

8. I repeatedly check doors, windows, drawers, etc.

9. I get upset if others change the way I have arranged things.

10. I feel I have to repeat certain numbers.

11. I sometimes have to wash or clean myself simply because I feel contaminated.

12. I am upset by unpleasant thoughts that come into my mind against my will.

13. I avoid throwing things away because I am afraid I might need them later.

14. I repeatedly check gas and water taps and light switches after turning them off.

15. I need things to be arranged in a particular way.

16. I feel that there are good and bad numbers.

17. I wash my hands more often and longer than necessary.

18. I frequently get nasty thoughts and have difficulty in getting rid of them.

Reference

Foa, E. B., Huppert, J. D., Leiberg, S., Langner, R., Kichic, R., Hajcak, G., & Salkovskis, P. M. (2002). The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory: development and validation of a short version. Psychological assessment, 14(4), 485.