OCD Screening tool
A high score on this screening tool does not necessarily mean you have OCD. These questions were developed by Professor Wayne Goodman (University of Florida) and may help you to identify different areas you are struggling with.
- Do you have concerns with contamination (dirt, germs, chemicals, radiation) or getting a serious illness such as AIDS?
- Are you overconcerned with keeping objects (clothing, shopping, tools) in perfect order, or arranged exactly?
- Do you have mental images of death or other horrible events?
- Do you have personally unacceptable religious or sexual thoughts?
- Do you worry about fire, burglary, or flooding the house?
- Do you worry about accidentally hitting a pedestrian with your car or letting it roll down the hill?
- Do you worry about spreading an illness (i.e. giving someone AIDS)?
- Do you worry about losing something valuable?
- Do you worry about harm coming to a loved one because you weren’t careful enough?
- Are you concerned about physically harming a loved one, pushing a stranger in front of a bus, steering your car into oncoming traffic; inappropriate sexual contact; or poisoning dinner guests?
- Do you perform excessive or ritualized washing, cleaning, or grooming rituals?
- Do you check light switches, taps, the oven, door locks, or your car’s handbrake?
- Do you perform counting; arranging; ‘evening-up’ behaviours (making sure socks are at same height)?
- Do you collect useless objects or inspect the trash before it is thrown out?
- Do you repeat routine actions (going in/out of a chair, going through a doorway, re-lighting a cigarette) a certain number of times, or until it feels just right?
- Do you need to touch objects or people?
- Do you unnecessarily re-read or re-write letters or re-open envelopes before you post them?
- Do you examine your body for signs of illness?
- Do you avoid certain colours (‘red’ means blood), numbers (‘l3’ is unlucky), or names (those that start with “D” signify death) that are associated with dreaded events or unpleasant thoughts?
- Do you feel a need to ‘confess’ or repeatedly ask for reassurance that you said or did something correctly?
If you answered YES to any of the above questions, AND if your preoccupation is taking up a lot of time and is interfering with your life in some way, you may be suffering from OCD. However, a registered psychologist can make a more accurate diagnosis. If you are feeling distressed, consider getting in touch with us for a more complete and thorough evaluation.
