obsessive compulsive disorder test
Living with OCD can be challenging. Here you can do a self-test to see if you have symptoms that may need treatment.
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What are obsessions
Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive and often unpleasant thoughts, images or impulses that recur over and over again. They are difficult to control and often cause severe worry or anxiety. Obsessive thoughts usually occur in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but can also occur in the context of stress, anxiety or other mental health problems. OCD is a condition characterised by obsessions and compulsions, where compulsions are repeated behaviours or rituals performed to reduce anxiety.
OCD differs from ordinary worries in its intensity, frequency and strangeness – the person often knows the thoughts are irrational but cannot stop thinking them. It is common for these thoughts to be followed by compulsions, which are performed to reduce anxiety or prevent something perceived as terrible from happening. However, even people without compulsions can suffer from obsessive thoughts.
Common themes of obsessive thoughts:
- Fear of contamination or dirt
- Fear of harming others or oneself (with no desire to act)
- Sexual or aggressive content
- Moral or religious guilt
- Order, symmetry or perfection
Obsessive thoughts can be extremely distressing and affect quality of life, relationships and everyday functioning. Many suffer in silence as the thoughts can feel shameful or frightening but they can be worked on and overcome.
Why do people get obsessive thoughts?
Causes vary, but can include:
- Hereditary factors or neurobiological vulnerability
- High stress levels or traumatic events
- Perfectionism and high demands on oneself
- Fear of losing control
Obsessive thoughts are not dangerous, although they can be unpleasant. This does not mean that you want to act on them. On the contrary, the anxiety often arises precisely because the thoughts go against your values. This self-test is not a substitute for a professional diagnosis, but it can give an initial indication of whether you have signs of OCD that may need treatment. Tests take about 3 minutes to do.
If you have both obsessive thoughts and compulsions, you can take a test for OCD here.
What should I do if I have obsessive thoughts?
If you have obsessive thoughts, you should contact a psychologist or therapist for professional help. OCD can be effectively treated with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), sometimes in combination with medication. Talking to a therapist can help you understand your thought patterns and find ways to relate to them in a less distressing way. At Lavendla, we have experienced psychologists and therapists who can help you. We make the difficult easier.
