Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Quiz
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Anxiety attack
Stressed
Intrusive thoughts
Anxiety flare up
Feeling uneasy
Repetitive action
Constantly checking phone
Obsessive cleaning
Increased irritability
Body focused repetitive behaviors
Checking if the door is locked multiple times
Anxious about nothing
Feeling flustered
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
A mental illness where a patient has uncontrollable, recurring thoughts, ideas, or sensations (obsessions) that make them feel compelled to do something repeatedly, like cleaning or washing their hands (compulsions).
Typical Symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Unable to stop oneself from doing irrational things
- Feeling compelled to check frequently that doors are locked or the stove is switched off
- Stressed over daily life
- Episodes of sudden, severe anxiety or fear
- Force or persuade your friends / family to act on your compulsions
- Fears that are sometimes irrational or illogical
- Feeling more sensitive or irritable
- Getting anxious about anything and everything
Diagnostic Questions for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you frequently feel compelled to check doors and stove switches?
- Do you feel stressed or unhappy about going to work or school?
- Do you experience sudden, intense anxiety or fear?
- Do you make others act on your compulsions?
- Do you think your fears are sometimes irrational or illogical?
Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a kind of psychotherapy, is effective for many patients with OCD. Common psychiatric medications, like antidepressants, may also be prescribed to treat OCD.
Reviewed By:
Weston S. Ferrer, MD (Psychiatry)
Weston Ferrer is a physician leader, psychiatrist, and clinical informaticist based in San Francisco. With nearly a decade of experience in academia and more recent immersion in industry, he has made significant contributions to the fields of digital health, health tech, and healthcare innovation. | As an Associate Professor at UCSF, Weston was involved in teaching, leadership, and clinical practice, focusing on the intersection of technology and mental health. He recently led mental health clinical for Verily (formerly Google Life Sciences), where he applied his expertise to develop innovative solutions for mental healthcare using the tools of AI/ML, digital therapeutics, clinical analytics, and more.. | Weston is known for his unique ability to innovate and support product development while bringing pragmatism to technology entrepreneurship. He is a strong advocate for patient-centered care and is committed to leveraging technology to improve the health and well-being of individuals and communities. |
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Feb 19, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Going to extremes to counter OCD behavior
- Have to force my family to make sure they are clean too
- I keep worrying that the gas is still switched on
- Change my clothes a few times a day because of cleanliness
- Compulsion to check that doors are locked
- Doing irrational things to prevent other irrational actions from happening
- Getting family to check the locks multiple times before leaving the house
- Cleaning hands after touching anything
- Feel the need to repeatedle check the locks for reassurance
- Often have to persuade my family or friends to get rid of germs
- Keep going back to check that locks are correct
- Washing hands very frequently
See full list
Symptoms Related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Diseases Related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
FAQs
Q.
Is Your Mind Stuck? Why Your Brain Is Trapped in OCD and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
OCD traps the brain in a learned fear and relief loop, with overactive error detection that fuels intrusive obsessions and compulsions, which is why your mind can feel stuck, yet it is highly treatable. Evidence-based next steps include ERP therapy, medications such as SSRIs or clomipramine, often together, with intensive programs, transcranial magnetic stimulation, or deep brain stimulation for severe cases, plus guidance on when to seek help and how to start; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below to choose the safest and most effective path.
References:
* Mataix-Cols D, de la Cruz LF, Alonso P. Neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2019 Jun;21(2):129-138. PMID: 31278401; PMCID: PMC6659714.
* Valente G, Benatti B, Costa E, Benatti L, Nierenberg AA, De Carlo V, Ghasemzadeh M, Fagiolini A. Evidence-Based Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Treatments for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 15;12(4):1532. PMID: 36835974; PMCID: PMC9966113.
* Abramowitz JS, Fabricant LE. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Current Status and Future Directions. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019 Jun 27;21(8):72. PMID: 31249964.
* Skokou M, Soumani E, Papanastasiou E, Klonaris G, Dikeos D. Pharmacological Management of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Review. Clin Ther. 2020 Feb;42(2):221-230. PMID: 31839556.
* Ahmari SE, Dougherty DD. Neural Circuits in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? Biol Psychiatry. 2020 Dec 1;88(11):833-847. PMID: 32972740; PMCID: PMC7773703.
Q.
Stuck in a Loop? Why Your Brain Won’t Stop: OCD Symptoms & Medical Steps
A.
OCD symptoms and medical steps: OCD is a real, treatable condition where intrusive obsessions trigger compulsions that can take over daily life; the most effective care is Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, often enhanced by SSRIs or other antidepressants. There are several factors and safety red flags to consider, including when symptoms are severe, interfere with life, or involve self-harm thoughts that require urgent care; see the complete details below for diagnosis steps, treatment choices, supportive habits, and a symptom check to prepare for your appointment.
References:
* Dell'Osso, B., & Altamura, A. C. (2023). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: An update on etiology, pathophysiology and treatment. *Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry*, *123*, 110712.
* Karthikeyan, S., & Bhaskaran, M. (2022). Neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: Current and future perspectives. *Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice*, *13*(04), 603-611.
* Fineberg, N. A., Apergis-Schoute, J., Baillif, A., Banerjee, S., Clarke, R., Craig, K. J., ... & Robbins, T. W. (2020). Clinical features and diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder. *Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience*, *22*(2), 119–131.
* Goodman, W. K., Storch, E. A., & Sheth, S. A. (2019). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A review of current treatments. *Molecular Psychiatry*, *24*(1), 1-17.
* Sharma, E., & Sharma, N. (2021). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: An Update on Pathophysiology and Treatment. *Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine*, *43*(3), 199-210.
Q.
Sudden OCD? Why PANDAS Happens & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Sudden, dramatic OCD or tics in a child soon after a strep infection may be PANDAS, a rare immune-triggered condition where antibodies mistakenly affect brain circuits involved in movement and behavior. Medically approved next steps are prompt evaluation, strep testing, antibiotics if infection is present, and standard OCD treatment such as CBT with ERP and sometimes SSRIs, with specialist options considered only for severe cases. There are several factors to consider, including red flags that require urgent care and how diagnosis is made, so see the complete details below.
References:
* Snider, L. A., & Swedo, S. E. (2021). Update on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). *Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology*, *31*(5), 329–334.
* Mirpuri, M., Sarma, N., Sivam, S., & Bhaumik, S. (2023). Molecular Mimicry as a Pathogenic Mechanism in PANDAS: A Systematic Review. *Psychiatric Quarterly*, 1–17.
* Cooperstock, M. S. (2017). Evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). *Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics*, *38*(9), 748–751.
* Swedo, S. E. (2012). PANDAS: psychiatric and neurological disorders associated with streptococcal infections. *Current opinion in pediatrics*, *24*(3), 361–366.
* Chang, K., & Frankovich, J. (2015). Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS): Current understanding and future directions. *Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology*, *10*(3), 481–492.
Q.
Is It OCD? Why Your Brain Is Stuck in Loops & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: OCD is a medical condition where intrusive, unwanted thoughts trigger anxiety and repetitive behaviors that briefly relieve it, creating reinforcing loops that can significantly disrupt daily life. Medically approved next steps include Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, often combined with SSRIs, plus urgent evaluation for severe depression or safety concerns; self-help steps like tracking triggers and delaying rituals can support care. For key distinctions from general anxiety and specific guidance that may change your next step, see the complete details below.
References:
* Gürsel DA, Savaş HA, Kırılmaz A, Eşel E. The neurobiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: a review of the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit model and beyond. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord. 2018 Sep;18:1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 30206606.
* Loo C, et al. Evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of first-line treatments. J Psychiatr Res. 2020 Sep;129:1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.06.012. Epub 2020 Jun 20. PMID: 32619894.
* Pittenger C, Bloch MH. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: a current review. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2016 May;18(5):49. doi: 10.1007/s11920-016-0683-x. PMID: 27072719.
* O'Daly A, et al. Neurocircuitry and neurophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: An updated review. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2023 Apr 19;123:110724. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110724. Epub 2023 Feb 28. PMID: 36863212.
* Fisher PL, O'Connor K. Cognitive behavioral therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a review of the current evidence and future directions. Br J Clin Psychol. 2020 Dec;59(4):469-485. doi: 10.1111/bjc.12260. Epub 2020 Mar 24. PMID: 32207923.
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Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Stein DJ, Costa DLC, Lochner C, Miguel EC, Reddy YCJ, Shavitt RG, van den Heuvel OA, Simpson HB (2019). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. Nature reviews. Disease primers.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31371720/Goodman WK (1999). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: diagnosis and treatment. The Journal of clinical psychiatry.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10487253/Singh A, Anjankar VP, Sapkale B (2021). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis, Comorbidities, and Treatment Approaches. Cureus.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38111433/