Written by: OCD Test
Do you suspect that you may have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)? If you deal with repetitive thoughts and behaviors, you may have OCD.
It can be scary to think that you have a condition that may need lifelong treatment. However, getting a diagnosis is the first step toward treatment that can dramatically improve your quality of life.
Let’s learn a little bit more about OCD. Then, we’ll have some questions to help you determine whether you should talk to a psychiatrist for an official diagnosis and treatment plan.
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What is OCD?
According to the Mayo Clinic “Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) features a pattern of unreasonable thoughts and fears (obsessions) that lead you to do repetitive behaviors (compulsions). These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.”
One symptom people often associate with OCD is frequent hand washing. Some people with OCD are obsessed with cleanliness. However, not everybody with OCD has the same obsessive thoughts or repetitive behaviors.
Symptoms of OCD
There are a lot of different obsessive and compulsive symptoms associated with OCD.
A few obsessive symptoms include:
- Fear of dirt or contamination
- Aggressive thoughts about hurting yourself or others
- Needing things symmetrical or orderly
- Unwanted thoughts
- Extreme stress when things aren’t ordered a certain way
- Doubts that you’ve turned off the stove or locked the door
A few compulsive symptoms include:
- Cleaning
- Counting
- Checking
- Following a strict routine
- Orderliness
Do I Have OCD?
Here are some questions to help you decide whether you may have OCD. If you answer “yes” to more than a few of these questions, you should talk to a psychiatrist about getting an official diagnosis and treatment.
- Do you ever clean excessively due to a fear of germs?
- Do you repeat routine actions such as putting on a shoe, opening a door, or getting into bed over and over until it “feels right?”
- Do you inspect the trash before throwing it out to see if you missed something important?
- Do you experience repetitive thoughts that cause anxiety?
- Do you feel a need to seek reassurance on something you did or said?
- Do you have intrusive thoughts that are aggressive or taboo?
- Do you feel a need to ensure things are in their proper order? (rearranging drawers, cataloging books, lining up silverware, etc.)
- Do you have rituals that provide temporary relief for your anxiety, like checking, counting, or cleaning?
- Do you worry about harm coming to loved ones because you weren’t careful enough?
- Do you struggle to control compulsive behaviors or obsessive thoughts?
- Do you avoid certain numbers or colors because you view them as “evil?” or “unlucky”?
- Do you unnecessarily re-read emails, letters, or text messages before or after sending them?
- Are home life, work, or relationships affected by your ritual behaviors or obsessive thinking?
- Do you experience disturbing mental images of destruction, death, or other unpleasant events?
- Do you spend at least 1 hour every day performing ritual behaviors or thinking obsessive thoughts?
- Do you examine your body for signs of illness?
For more detailed OCD tests, check out [PsyCom](https://www.psycom.net/do-i-have-ocd-test), [ADDitude](https://www.additudemag.com/screener-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-symptoms-test-adults/), and [Psych Central](https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/ocd-quiz/).
OCD Diagnosis and Treatment
You can’t be diagnosed with OCD just from the results of an online OCD test. You must talk to a psychiatrist.
Luckily, [PlushCare](https://www.plushcare.com/profile/book/method/) now has psychiatrists that can diagnose and treat OCD. There’s no need to drive across town for an appointment. You can get a diagnosis with a phone or video appointment from the comfort of your own home.
OCD treatment usually involves a combination of therapy and medication. One effective type of therapy for OCD is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Psychiatrists often prescribe antidepressants and anxiety-reducing medications to treat OCD.
Some medications for OCD include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil)
- Fluvoxamine
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
It’s important to note that antidepressants have a black box warning from the FDA stating that they may cause increased suicidal thoughts or behaviors in kids, teens, and young adults. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking an antidepressant if you are a young adult or are the parent of a child or teen with OCD.
Luckily, our online psychiatrist can prescribe medication to help treat OCD. After a video or phone appointment, they can electronically send a prescription to your preferred pharmacy.
Getting started with PlushCare is easy. Simply [click here](https://www.plushcare.com/profile/book/method/) or call (888) 329-0238 to schedule an appointment.
You can get relief from your OCD symptoms and start to gain an improved quality of life.
Sources
- PsyCom. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test & Self-Assessment. Accessed on September 13, 2019 at https://www.psycom.net/do-i-have-ocd-test
- ADDitude. [Self-Test] Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder in Adults: OCD Symptoms Test. Accessed on September 13, 2019 at [https://www.additudemag.com/screener-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-symptoms-test-adults/](https://www.additudemag.com/screener-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-symptoms-test-adults/)
- PsychCentral. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Screening Quiz. Accessed on September 13, 2019 at [https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/ocd-quiz/](https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/ocd-quiz/)
- Mayo Clinic. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Accessed on September 13, 2019 at [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354438](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354438)
