Could YOU have OCD? Take the Psychologist’s 12 Question Quiz
You may have heard someone say “I have OCD” when referring to their cleanliness and orderliness – but what exactly does that mean and do they actually have the condition?
Dr. Carmen Harra, American author of Committed: Finding Love and Loyalty Through the Seven Archetypes, has explained what obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is, what causes it, what signs to look for and when to seek help.
She told FEMAIL, “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental disorder characterized by unreasonable thoughts and fears that lead to compulsive, repetitive behaviors.
“It usually starts gradually but becomes chronic and can affect people of all backgrounds and ages. The severity of OCD depends on the individual and the progression of the disorder.
It is important to understand that not all recurrent thoughts and actions are considered obsessive or compulsive. We all have quirks, such as liking things to be arranged in a certain order or considering certain numbers as indicators of happiness.
You may have heard someone say “I have OCD” when referring to their cleanliness and orderliness – but what exactly does that mean and do they actually have the condition? (stock photo)
“A person must meet specific criteria to be diagnosed with OCD, and this can only be assessed by a medical professional,” she insisted.
But if you want to learn more about the possible signs of OCD and wonder if the condition might be to blame for your stressful or intrusive thoughts, answer the questions below.
After the quiz, Dr. Carmen thinks about what the answers might mean.
1. Do you avoid some colours, names or numbers because you find them ‘unfortunate’ or associate them with something bad?
A. No, I never did.
B. No, but I do.
C. Yes, sometimes.
D. Yes, often.
2. What do you usually do to feel better when you have doubts or concerns?
A. Put it out of my mind and don’t think about it.
B. Talk to someone and/or try to resolve the situation.
C. Think about it for a long time or analyze it, but eventually get over it.
D. Allow it to consume me and clean, hoard, or repeat words to improve how I feel.
3. How often do you experience thoughts that are unreasonable and make you feel uncomfortable in your own head? (Examples include the sudden imagining that you hit someone with your car or that a family member just had an accident.)
One never.
B. Rarely.
C. Sometimes.
D. Often (several times a day).
4. Rate how strongly this statement resonates with you: “I have thoughts about aggression and/or hurting others that worry me and that I don’t want.”
A. I don’t resonate with it at all.
B. I don’t really resonate with it.
C. I kind of resonate with it.
D. I resonate strongly with it.
5. Complete this statement: When an intrusive thought enters my mind, I…
A. Have no problem putting it aside and thinking about other things.
B. Think about it for a moment and then move on to other thoughts.
C. Dwell on it for a long time and then slowly get over it.
D. Stick with it and think about nothing else for weeks, months or years.
6. How often do you double or triple check that you have completed a mundane task, such as locking the front door or turning off the oven?
One never.
B. Rarely.
C. Sometimes.
D. Often (several times a day).
7. Which of the following statements best describes your attitude toward cleanliness?
A. I think I could keep my house clean and organized better; I’m a little messy.
B. I think I am average in how much I clean and organize my house; I don’t clean more than other people.
C. I think I keep my house super clean and organized; I clean more than the average person.
D. I sleep badly if my house is not spotless; I can’t stand dust or objects that are out of order.
8. How much do you mind if your hands are dirty?
A. Not at all; I don’t even notice it, but I probably should.
B. Somewhat; I wash my hands a few times a day, especially when I’m outside.
C. Many; I often have to wash my hands or it disgusts me.
D. “Bother” doesn’t describe it; I have to wash my hands after touching almost everything.
9. Let’s say you are hosting a party at your home. What are you doing to prepare?
A. Invite guests and tell them to bring whatever they want.
B. Order food and drinks for the partygoers.
C. Clean the house, make food, buy drinks and decorate.
D. Make sure the house is spotless, the presentation is spotless and everything is in perfect order.
10. Does it comfort you or lessen your fear of repeating certain activities, such as counting numbers in your head, walking up and down stairs, or turning the light on and off a certain number of times?
A. This does not apply to me.
B. I don’t really bring comfort or reduce anxiety; I rarely do these things.
C. It brings comfort or reduces anxiety; I do these things often.
D. It is the only thing that comforts or reduces anxiety; if I don’t do these things I feel like something bad could happen.
11. How often do you seek reassurance from others as to whether you have done a task correctly or correctly?
One never.
B. Rarely.
C. Sometimes.
D. Often (several times a day).
12. Are numbers and/or time strictly dictated by your lifestyle, such as “I can have exactly four bites of this cake” or “I have to be in bed at 10:59 PM?”
A. No, they never did.
B. No, but they do.
C. Yes, sometimes.
D. Yes, often.