OCD Test

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) isn’t about being “neat” or liking things a certain way. It’s usually a cycle of intrusive thoughts, images, or doubts (obsessions) that create anxiety—followed by mental or physical behaviours (compulsions) that are done to feel certain or safe.

This OCD test is a short self-check to help you understand whether OCD patterns may be showing up for you, and which part of the cycle is strongest right now—intrusive thoughts, anxiety, compulsions, or reassurance-seeking. Your results include personalised feedback on what may be maintaining the cycle, and a clear next step to getting help.

This is an educational self-check, not a diagnosis. If your answers suggest significant distress, consider speaking with a qualified professional—OCD is very treatable with the right support.

A clearer picture, one question at a time

Understand your OCD pattern

Think about the past month and choose what best fits your experience. Your feedback explains the pattern your answers suggest, what may keep it going, and where to start.

9 questionsAbout 3 minutesNo email needed

This self-check is for adults. The questionnaire itself does not send or save your answers. They are cleared when you reload or leave this page.

You can read the questions below. Enable JavaScript for the step-by-step questionnaire and personalised feedback.

Do unwanted thoughts, images, urges or doubts keep returning, or do you feel things must be “just right”?

Include experiences that feel unwanted or difficult to leave unresolved.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

Do you repeat actions such as checking, washing, arranging or restarting to settle doubt or discomfort?

Think about actions you feel driven to repeat, rather than ordinary care or preferences.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

Do you review memories, analyse feelings, repeat words or mentally check to make sure something is safe or certain?

Compulsions can happen entirely in your head.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

Do you ask, search online, confess or reread information repeatedly to feel sure about a worry?

Include repeating a question even after receiving an answer.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

Do you avoid people, places, objects or activities because they trigger intrusive thoughts or a need to perform rituals?

Focus on changes driven by these worries, rather than practical preferences.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

Do you feel you must eliminate a doubt or prevent every possible bad outcome before you can move on?

This is about felt responsibility, not how likely an event actually is.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

After checking or doing a ritual, does relief fade and the doubt or discomfort return?

Consider whether the same issue feels settled only temporarily.

NeverRarelySometimesOftenAlmost always

On an average day, how much time do these thoughts, rituals or attempts to get certainty take?

Give your best estimate; you do not need to time yourself.

NoneLess than 15 minutes15–60 minutes1–3 hoursMore than 3 hoursNot sure

How much has this affected your work, study, relationships or ordinary activities?

Choose the answer that best reflects your own experience.

Not at allA littleQuite a bitA lotNot sure

How to understand this self-check

OCD is recognised by the relationship between intrusive experiences, distress and attempts to neutralise them, not by being tidy or by a particular thought theme. CBT with exposure and response prevention (ERP) helps change that relationship. An assessment also considers time, distress, interference and other explanations.

The questions are an original educational self-check, rather than a validated diagnostic instrument. Results reflect the combinations, frequency and impact you report; they do not provide a probability of diagnosis or a clinical severity score.

Read the OCD guide for more information.

Understanding the OCD cycle

These diagrams show how an intrusive thought or doubt can lead to an attempt to feel safe, followed by renewed doubt. The checking example illustrates how short-lived relief can keep repetition going.