Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Many people may describe their behavior as "compulsive. This includes things like high standards of performance, perfectionism, and organization in work and recreational activities. These habits can help people reach success and feel more organized. OCD compulsions are very distressing and interfere with daily function. These are issues you should discuss with your doctor.

Diagnosis of OCD is usually based on the following:

Initial Assessment

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and past health. You may be asked questions or given a questionnaire to fill out. OCD may be diagnosed if the certain symptoms affect you for at least 1 hour each day and/or causes both emotional distress and disturbed functioning. The doctor will also rule out other possible causes such as medicine, drug abuse, or a other medical problem. Most people are aware that the behaviors are excessive or unreasonable. This is important for the doctor to know.

Evaluation of Other Mental and Neurologic Disorders

Other mental health issues may be linked and worsened by OCD. The doctor may look for signs of other issues such as:

PreviousNext

References:

About OCD. International OCD Foundation website. Available at: https://iocdf.org/about-ocd. Accessed January 13, 2020.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Accessed January 13, 2020.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd/index.shtml. Accessed January 13, 2020.
Last reviewed May 2020 by Adrian Preda, MD

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Home |Terms and Conditions |Concerned About Privacy? |Accessibility |Careers |For Employers and Medical Plan Providers

You may also be looking for: CVS/pharmacy | MinuteClinic | Specialty Pharmacy | SilverScript | Accordant