Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Test

An obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) test can help you find out if certain symptoms are caused by OCD or a physical condition. This helps to make sure you get the right treatment to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. OCD is a type of anxiety disorder.

People with OCD may have obsessions, compulsions, or both: Obsessions are repeated unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that can cause distress or anxiety.; Compulsions are behaviors that you feel like you need to do over and over to try to reduce your anxiety or stop the obsessive thoughts.; OCD is different than regular habits and routines. It's not unusual to brush your teeth at the same time every morning or sit in the same chair for dinner every night. But with OCD, the compulsive behaviors usually take up more than an hour a day.

You may be frustrated or embarrassed by your compulsive behaviors but feel unable to stop them. And if you're unable to perform the compulsive behavior, you may become more distressed. Stress may worsen these behaviors.

The compulsions can take up a lot of your time, reduce your quality of life, and get in the way of your daily responsibilities. OCD usually starts in teens or young adults but can start in childhood. The cause of OCD is unknown.

However, many researchers believe that genetics, brain biology and chemistry, and your environment may play a role. It often runs in families. An OCD test can help find out if you have obsessive-compulsive disorder so you can get treated.

Treatment can reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Why this test is done

This test may be done if you or your child is having obsessive thoughts and/or showing compulsive behaviors.

Common obsessions include:

• Fear of germs or contamination
• Fear that harm will come to yourself or your loved ones
• An overwhelming need for neatness and order
• Constant worries that you've left something undone, like left the stove on or the door unlocked
• Fear of losing or misplacing something
• Fear of losing control over your behavior
• Forbidden thoughts or images involving sex or religion
• Aggressive thoughts toward yourself or others

Common compulsions include:

• Repeated hand washing, often until chapped or sore
• Checking and rechecking that appliances and lights are turned off or that the door is locked
• Ordering or arranging items in a particular way
• Repeating certain actions, such as sitting down and getting up from a chair
• Constantly cleaning
• Repeatedly checking buttons and zippers on clothing
• Counting in a certain pattern over and over

How to prepare

You don't need any special preparations for an OCD test.

Sample type

Blood

Other names for this test

OCD screening