If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “Do I have OCD?”, you’re not alone. Many people experience distressing, intrusive thoughts or engage in repetitive behaviors and wonder if what they're going through is more than just stress or anxiety. This post is here to help you understand what Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) really is, how to identify the symptoms, and when it might be time to seek professional support.

🧠 What Is OCD?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of obsessions and compulsions that cause significant anxiety and interfere with daily life.

Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress or anxiety.
Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in an attempt to reduce the distress caused by obsessions.

While it's common to have occasional intrusive thoughts or repetitive behaviors, OCD is different. The symptoms are persistent, time-consuming (often more than an hour a day), and cause significant disruption to your life, work, or relationships.

🚩 Common Signs and Symptoms of OCD

OCD can show up in many ways. Here are some of the most common types of obsessions and compulsions:

Obsessions:

Fear of contamination (e.g., from germs, dirt, chemicals)
Disturbing sexual, violent, or blasphemous thoughts
A need for things to feel “just right”
Fear of harming oneself or others
Doubts about safety (e.g., “Did I lock the door?”)

Compulsions:

Excessive handwashing or cleaning
Repeated checking of locks, appliances, or switches
Mental rituals like counting or praying
Arranging items until they’re “perfect”
Reassurance-seeking or confessing

It’s also important to know that OCD can look different in different people. Some may experience primarily mental compulsions (known as "Pure O" or purely obsessional OCD), while others may be more behaviorally focused.

🧩 Do I Have OCD? A Self-Screening Checklist

This checklist is not a diagnosis, but it may help you get clarity:

Do you experience repetitive, unwanted thoughts that feel intrusive or disturbing?
Do these thoughts cause you significant anxiety or distress?
Do you feel driven to perform certain behaviors or mental rituals to reduce your anxiety?
Do these behaviors provide only temporary relief—or no relief at all?
Do your thoughts or behaviors take up a significant amount of your time?
Are they interfering with your work, relationships, or daily responsibilities?

If you answered “yes” to several of these questions, it may be worth talking to a licensed mental health provider who specializes in OCD.

📋 Why a Clinical Assessment Like the Y-BOCS Matters

While self-screening can raise awareness, the gold standard for diagnosing OCD is a structured clinical assessment—most commonly the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).

What is the Y-BOCS?

The Y-BOCS is a validated, clinician-administered tool used worldwide to:

Measure the presence and severity of obsessions and compulsions
Track treatment progress over time
Help determine whether a person meets criteria for clinically significant OCD

What Does It Assess?

The Y-BOCS includes:

A symptom checklist that identifies common obsessions (e.g., contamination, symmetry, aggressive thoughts) and compulsions (e.g., checking, washing, mental rituals)
A severity scale that rates:
- Time spent on obsessions/compulsions
- Interference with functioning
- Distress caused
- Resistance against symptoms
- Degree of control over them

Scores range from 0 to 40:

0–7: Subclinical
8–15: Mild
16–23: Moderate
24–31: Severe
32–40: Extreme

This tool is not only diagnostic, but it also gives therapists a structured way to monitor improvement and tailor treatment.

woman suffering from OCD — **Why Self-Diagnosis Isn’t Enough**
It's tempting to rely on internet quizzes or social media checklists for answers. While these tools can offer initial insight, OCD is a complex condition that’s often misunderstood—even by professionals not trained in it. What might seem like “quirky” or “perfectionistic” behavior could actually be signs of a treatable condition.
Using structured tools like the Y-BOCS, a licensed clinician can provide an accurate diagnosis, rule out other conditions (like anxiety or OCPD), and guide you toward effective treatment.

🧠 What OCD Treatment Looks Like

The most evidence-based treatment for OCD is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). ERP helps individuals gradually face their fears without engaging in compulsions. This leads to long-term symptom reduction and improved quality of life.

In some cases, medication such as SSRIs may also be helpful and are often used in combination with therapy.

💬 You Are Not Alone

Many people with OCD struggle in silence, afraid of being misunderstood or judged for their thoughts. It’s important to remember that having intrusive thoughts does not make you a bad person. In fact, the very reason these thoughts are distressing is because they go against your values.

Getting help is a sign of strength—not weakness.

🧭 Ready to Talk to Someone?

If you’re in Connecticut and wondering whether you might be struggling with OCD, Fairfield Counseling Center is here to help. Our licensed therapists specialize in OCD treatment and provide compassionate, evidence-based care. Let’s work together to untangle your thoughts and regain control.

📞 Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Do I Have OCD? Understanding the Symptoms and When to Seek Help