Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a condition characterized by obsessive and compulsive behavior. A person with the condition may engage in compulsive behavior to keep obsessive thoughts at bay. For example, they may feel like they need to turn off a light three times to keep a bad thing from happening.

Everyone may get a little OCD occasionally, so how can you tell if you have the condition? Is there a test for OCD? This article will tell you everything you need to know.

What is OCD? 

OCD is a mental disorder characterized by recurring unwanted thoughts and the compulsion to engage in certain behaviors repeatedly. The obsession maybe with something like death or illness, and the behavior is used to (theoretically) prevent the obsession from occurring. So, a person may wash their hands repeatedly to keep themselves or a loved one safe.

Anyone can have symptoms that may be similar to OCD, but it will be considered a disorder if your behaviors and thoughts:

• Take up at least an hour of your day
• Are beyond your power to stop
• Are making you unhappy
• Are interfering with your everyday life

What are the signs of OCD?

The signs of OCD are as follows: 

• Checking such as repeatedly checking locks to make sure they are locked or unlocked and checking appliances to see that they are turned off or on. Some OCD individuals may think they have a medical condition such as pregnancy or schizophrenia. 
• A fear of things that might be dirty coupled with a compulsion to clean. You also might have mental contamination and feel like you are treated like dirt. 
• Symmetry and ordering which involves a need to have things lined up a certain way. 
• Intrusive thoughts that you are obsessed with that are often violent and disturbing. 
• Worrying that you or someone you know might get hurt.
• Constant awareness of blinking, breathing and other body functions.
• Suspicion a partner is unfaithful even though there is no reason to believe it.  
• Doing tasks a certain amount of times.
• Needing to count things.
• Fear of touching objects that may be contaminated like doorknobs and people’s hands. 

Most people with OCD know their thoughts and behaviors are unusual, but they are powerless to stop them. 

Is There a Test for OCD? 

There is no OCD test. There is no blood test or X-ray that provides an OCD diagnosis. And even though OCD is a mental illness, there is no brain scan that can detect it. 

Instead, doctors will ask patients a series of questions to find out they have OCD. They will analyze the results to determine if they meet the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) for the disorder. The manual was developed by the American Psychiatric Association and reflects years of research by hundreds of health professionals. 

They may also use the Structured Clinical Interviews (SCID-5) for DSM -5. These are structured diagnostic interviews that are used to diagnose OCD and other mental illnesses and rule out other conditions. 

How to Find OCD Treatment in South Florida

Reaching out for help for a mental illness can be difficult. People may be dealing with stigmas, or they may not have the time or money to get the care they need. Some may feel their problems are not that bad. 

Instead of getting professional assistance, they will self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, taking them on a downward spiral. If you are dealing with OCD and addiction, Prevail Recovery Center can help.

Prevail Recovery is an outpatient rehab facility in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. We take a dual diagnosis approach in Florida that simultaneously treats addiction and its underlying causes. We integrate various therapies to come up with a customized plan that’s suitable to our patient’s needs.
OCD and other mental health issues aren’t easy to deal with. If you are using drugs and alcohol to treat your symptoms, Prevail Recovery Center can get you the help you need to break the cycle. Contact us to find out how to move forward with life and achieve the health and happiness you deserve.