Obsessive Compulsive Severity Scale

This self-rating scale is designed to assess the severity and type of symptoms in patients with OCD. Before you begin the test, read the following definitions and examples of "obsessions " and "compulsions."

Obsessions are unwelcome or distressing ideas, thoughts, images or impulses that repeatedly enter your mind. They may seem to occur against your will. They may be repugnant to you, are often senseless, and may not fit your actual personality at all (for example, the recurrent thought or impulse to harm to your children, even though you never would).

Compulsions are behaviors or acts that you feel driven to perform, even though you may recognize them as senseless or excessive. At times, you may try to resist doing them, but this may prove difficult. You may experience anxiety that does not diminish until the behavior is completed.

Answer each question based on the average occurrence of each item over the past week. The first 5 questions relate to obsessive thoughts, the last 5 questions relate to compulsive behaviors.

Start

How many hours a day do I have obsessive thoughts?

None

Less than one hour per day

1-3 hours per day

3-8 hours per day

8+ hours per day

How much do my OCD thoughts interfere in my life?

None

Slight interference, but no impairment

Definite interference, but manageable

Substantial interference

Extreme interference, incapacitating

How bothersom are the obsessive thoughts I experience?

None

Mild - not too bothersom

Moderate - bothersom, but still manageable

Severe - very bothersom

Extreme - near constant and disabling

How successful am I at moving past my obsessive thoughts?

Always make an effort move past, or don’t even need to

Try to move past most of the time

Make some effort to move past

Give in to most obsessive thoughts

Completely and willingly give in to all obsessive thoughts

How much power do I feel I have over my obsessive thoughts?

Complete Control

Much power - usually able to stop or divert obsessions with some effort and concentration

Moderate power - sometimes able to stop or divert obsessions

Little power - rarely successful in stopping or dismissing obsessions

No control - not able to ever stop obsessions

How many hours a day do I do compulsions?

None

Less than one hour per day

1-3 hours per day

3-8 hours per day

8+ hours per day

How much do my compulsions interfere in my life?

None

Slight interference, but no impairment

A little bit interfering, but manageable

A lot of interference

Extreme interference, incapacitating

If someone stopped me from doing compulsions, how anxious would I feel?

No Anxiety

Only slightly anxious

Some anxiety, but manageable

A lot of anxiety

Extreme, incapacitating anxiety

How successful am I at not doing my compulsions?

Always able to stop doing compulsions

Try to stop compulsions most of the time

Make some effort to stop compulsions

Give in to most compulsions

Completely give in to all compulsions

How much power do I feel I have over my compulsions?

Complete control

Much power - usually able to stop compulsions with some effort and concentration

Moderate power - sometimes able to stop compulsions

Little power - rarely successful in stopping compulsions

No control - not ever able to stop compulsions

You do not suffer from OCD

Mild – 8-15 Your scores indicate that your OCD symptoms are mild. It does not seem to interfere greatly with your daily functioning at the moment. However, we recommend that you continue monitoring these behaviors to ensure they do not deteriorate. It may be beneficial to build greater awareness of its triggers by keeping a diary or journal of your OCD symptoms. This would allow you to target them more efficiently.

Moderate 16-23 Your scores indicate that your OCD symptoms are moderate. It appears that your OCD behaviors are interfering in some areas of your daily functioning. We recommend that you continue monitoring your OCD behaviors and seek support to manage them. This has the added benefit of ensuring that they do not deteriorate.

Severe – 24-31 Your scores indicate that your OCD symptoms are severe. It appears that they are interfering with your daily functioning across different contexts. Medical and/or seeing a therapist is highly recommended to help alleviate and manage your symptoms.

Extreme – 32-40 Your scores indicate that your OCD symptoms are extremely severe. It appears to be impeding on your daily functioning and stopping you from engaging with activities or people around you. We strongly encourage you to seek medical, psychiatric and a specialist for OCD immediately if you have not already.

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