About This OCD Test: Evidence-Based Self-Assessment
Our OCD test (also called an OCD self-test or OCD screening) was developed to give you an initial, evidence-based orientation on whether you might be showing signs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The test is based on the diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5-TR and ICD-11, as well as established clinical screening instruments like the Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale), developed by Wayne K. Goodman et al. (1989).
We created this free self-test to provide a reliable, scientifically-grounded resource—anonymous, no registration required, and based on current clinical guidelines.
The test includes 20 questions across five core dimensions of OCD:
- Intrusive Thoughts (Obsessions) – Unwanted, recurring thoughts, images, or impulses
- Compulsions – Repeated behaviors or mental rituals
- Time Impact – How much time your symptoms consume daily
- Distress – Level of anxiety, disgust, or discomfort
- Functional Impairment – Impact on daily life, work, and relationships
These five dimensions align with the clinical diagnostic criteria for OCD.
What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). According to epidemiological research, approximately 2-3% of the population will experience OCD during their lifetime (Ruscio et al., 2010).
What makes OCD particularly challenging is that people usually recognize their thoughts are irrational and their behaviors excessive—yet they feel unable to stop. This internal conflict is profoundly distressing.
How Do I Know If I Have OCD? – Common Signs
"How do I know if I have OCD?" is one of the most common questions people ask. Here are typical signs that this OCD test evaluates:
Characteristic |
Normal Worries |
OCD |
|---|---|---|
Time Spent |
Occasional, situation-specific |
Often >1 hour daily |
Content of Thoughts |
Realistic everyday concerns |
Often irrational, ego-dystonic (contradict your values) |
Response |
Problem-solving is possible |
Rituals provide only temporary relief |
Control |
Thoughts can be set aside |
Thoughts keep returning despite efforts to stop them |
Functional Impairment |
Little to none |
Significant interference with daily life, work, relationships |
Emotional Reaction |
Discomfort that fades |
Intense anxiety, disgust, or distress |
Examples of OCD: What Are the Different Types?
What are some examples of OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can manifest in many different ways. Here are the most common subtypes that this OCD test considers:
Contamination OCD: Intense fear of germs, dirt, or contamination; excessive washing and cleaning
Checking OCD: Repeatedly verifying doors, stoves, faucets—often 10+ times
Harm OCD: Intrusive thoughts about harming yourself or others
Relationship OCD (ROCD): Tormenting doubts about your relationship, partner, or your own feelings
Symmetry/Just Right OCD: The need for things to feel 'just right,' perfect symmetry
False Memory OCD: Doubts about whether you did something terrible without remembering it
Scrupulosity (Religious OCD): Fear of blasphemy, sin, or moral failure
Sexual Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted sexual images or impulses that feel repulsive
Intrusive thoughts do not reflect a person's true desires. People with aggressive or sexual intrusive thoughts are not dangerous—they suffer precisely because these thoughts contradict their values. This ego-dystonic quality is a key diagnostic criterion.
How Is OCD Diagnosed? – The Assessment Process
How is OCD tested and diagnosed? An official diagnosis can only be made by qualified mental health professionals. The diagnostic process typically includes:
Self-Assessment
Initial orientation through screening tools like this OCD test. This doesn't replace a diagnosis but can encourage you to seek professional help.
Clinical Interview
A comprehensive conversation with a psychologist or psychiatrist. They'll assess your symptoms, duration, severity, and impact on functioning.
Standardized Assessments
Use of validated instruments like the Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale), OCI-R (Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised), or structured interviews.
Differential Diagnosis
Ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms (anxiety disorders, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders).
Diagnosis
Based on DSM-5-TR or ICD-11 criteria, the clinician makes a diagnosis and discusses treatment options with you.
What Causes OCD?
The development of OCD is complex. What causes OCD? Research shows that multiple factors interact:
Genetic Factors
First-degree relatives of people with OCD have an elevated risk. A meta-analysis found approximately a 4-fold increased risk compared to the general population (Pauls, 2010).
Neurobiological Factors
Changes in the serotonin system and brain regions like the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia play a role.
Psychological Factors
Thought patterns like inflated responsibility, perfectionism, and intolerance of uncertainty can contribute to OCD.
Environmental Triggers
Stress, trauma, loss, or major life changes can trigger the onset or worsening of OCD symptoms.
Is OCD Curable? – Treatment Options
Is OCD curable? Many people ask this question. The honest answer: OCD is considered a chronic condition that may not be completely "cured" in most cases—but it is highly treatable. Many people achieve significant symptom reduction or even remission (periods without significant symptoms) through treatment.
Important to understand: The goal of treatment isn't to never have another intrusive thought, but to learn a different relationship with those thoughts. The American Psychological Association (APA) and international guidelines recommend as the gold standard:
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective therapy for OCD. People systematically face anxiety-triggering situations without performing their rituals. The brain learns: The feared consequences don't happen.
Meta-analyses show that ERP produces large effect sizes and helps the majority of patients (Öst et al., 2015). The APA Practice Guidelines recommend ERP as the first-line treatment for OCD.
Other treatment options:
- SSRI medications (escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, etc.) can help as an adjunct
- Combination of ERP + medication often shows the best long-term outcomes
- Intensive outpatient or residential treatment for severe cases at specialized centers
OCD is treatable. Many people live full, normal lives after successful treatment. Even if intrusive thoughts occasionally resurface, they lose their power over you. You don't have to face this alone.
What Happens in the Brain with OCD?
What happens in the brain with OCD? Neuroimaging studies show that people with OCD have differences in certain brain regions:
- Cortico-striatal circuits: Connections between the frontal brain and basal ganglia show altered activity
- Orbitofrontal cortex: Increased activity in areas responsible for threat detection
- Serotonin system: An imbalance explains why SSRI medications are effective
Important: These changes are treatable. Research shows that brain activity can normalize following successful ERP therapy.
IOCDF Therapist Directory: iocdf.org/find-help
Psychology Today: Search for OCD specialists in your area at psychologytoday.com
NOCD: Online ERP therapy at nocd.com
Crisis Line: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
This self-test cannot provide a diagnosis. It serves only as an initial orientation. Only qualified professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed therapists) can diagnose OCD.
If you're concerned or suffering from your symptoms, we strongly encourage you to seek professional help—regardless of your test result.
Frequently Asked Questions About This OCD Test
Typical signs of OCD include: Recurring, unwanted thoughts that cause anxiety (obsessions), and ritualized behaviors to reduce that anxiety (compulsions). Symptoms often consume >1 hour daily and significantly impair your daily functioning. This OCD test can give you an initial orientation—but only a mental health professional can provide a diagnosis.
An official OCD diagnosis is made through a clinical interview with a psychologist or psychiatrist. They assess symptoms, duration, and severity. Standardized instruments like the Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale) help with assessment. Self-tests like our OCD test can provide initial orientation.
No, this self-test is not a diagnostic tool. It can only give you an initial orientation. An official diagnosis can only be made by qualified professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed therapists).
The test includes 20 questions and typically takes 5-7 minutes. Take your time and answer honestly—there are no right or wrong answers.
No, your answers are not stored and are not transmitted to us. The evaluation happens entirely in your browser. This OCD test is 100% anonymous.
Typical signs include: Intrusive thoughts (about contamination, danger, order, aggressive or sexual themes), compulsive behaviors (washing, checking, arranging, counting, mental rituals), significant time spent (>1 hour daily), severe distress, and impairment in daily life, work, or relationships.
Common examples include: Contamination OCD (excessive handwashing), Checking OCD (repeatedly verifying doors/stove), Harm OCD (fear of hurting others), ROCD (relationship doubts), Symmetry OCD (need for things to be "just right"), and Scrupulosity (fear of blasphemy or moral failure).
OCD develops from an interaction of: Genetics (family history), Neurobiology (serotonin system, brain activity), Psychological factors (perfectionism, inflated responsibility), and Environmental factors (stress, trauma, major life changes). There is no single cause.
OCD is considered a chronic condition but is highly treatable. "Cure" meaning "never another intrusive thought" is usually not the goal—rather, learning a different relationship with those thoughts. Meta-analyses show that ERP therapy helps the majority of people achieve significant improvement. Many experience periods of remission and can live full, normal lives.
If your result shows moderate or significant signs, we recommend: 1) Seek professional help from a psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed therapist, 2) Ask specifically about OCD specialists trained in ERP therapy, 3) Use the IOCDF Therapist Directory (iocdf.org/find-help) as a resource.
The 15-minute rule is a self-help technique: When you feel the urge to perform a compulsion, wait at least 15 minutes. After this time, the urge often weakens. This technique helps delay the compulsion—but it doesn't replace professional ERP therapy.
Yes, you can repeat the test anytime. However, note that your results may vary depending on your current mood and stress level. For a reliable assessment, professional diagnosis is recommended.
Next Steps After This OCD Test
Regardless of your test result: If you're struggling with recurring thoughts or compulsive behaviors, you deserve support. Here are potential next steps:
For mild signs: Monitor your symptoms, keep a journal, educate yourself about OCD
For moderate signs: Schedule an appointment with a psychologist or your primary care doctor
For significant signs: Seek professional help soon, specifically ask for ERP-trained therapists
Find a specialist: IOCDF Therapist Directory, Psychology Today
Self-help resources: International OCD Foundation with information and support groups
Sources and Scientific Foundation
This OCD test is based on current scientific research and clinical guidelines. The questions are aligned with the diagnostic criteria from DSM-5-TR and ICD-11, as well as established screening instruments like the Y-BOCS.
All statistics and treatment recommendations on this page come from peer-reviewed studies and official guidelines. The linked DOIs allow you to verify the original sources.
American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). psychiatry.org
ICD-11 (WHO, 2024). Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Code 6B20. icd.who.int
Goodman, W. K., Price, L. H., Rasmussen, S. A., et al. (1989). The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale: Development, Use, and Reliability. Archives of General Psychiatry, 46(11), 1006-1011. DOI: 10.1001/archpsyc.1989.01810110048007
Öst, L. G., Havnen, A., Hansen, B., & Kvale, G. (2015). Cognitive behavioral treatments of obsessive–compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 40, 156-169. DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2015.06.003
Ruscio, A. M., Stein, D. J., Chiu, W. T., & Kessler, R. C. (2010). The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Molecular Psychiatry, 15(1), 53-63. DOI: 10.1038/mp.2008.94
Pauls, D. L. (2010). The genetics of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12(2), 149-163. DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2010.12.2/dpauls
International OCD Foundation iocdf.org
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) nimh.nih.gov