Screening for Mental Health, Inc.
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Are you experiencing unwanted, intrusive thoughts that won’t go away? Do you find yourself performing repetitive behaviours to ease anxiety? This screening tool for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is designed for anyone experiencing unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviours that may be interfering with daily life. Taking just 5-10 minutes to complete, this test is based on the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Revised (OCI-R), a validated screening tool widely used by mental health professionals across Australia. Your responses are completely anonymous and confidential. OCD is a mental health condition involving unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform. It’s not about being neat or organised—it’s a serious condition that causes significant distress and can impact every aspect of your life.
Important Disclaimer:
This is a screening tool only, not a diagnosis. OCD is treatable with proper therapy and support from qualified professionals. Please discuss your results with your GP or a mental health professional. All responses are anonymous and confidential.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is characterised by two main components that create a distressing cycle. Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. Common themes include fear of contamination or germs, fear of harm coming to yourself or loved ones, an overwhelming need for symmetry or exactness, unwanted sexual or violent thoughts, religious or moral concerns, and fear of losing important items. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. These include excessive washing or cleaning, checking locks, switches, and appliances repeatedly, counting, tapping, or repeating actions, arranging things in a highly specific way, constantly seeking reassurance from others, and performing mental rituals like praying, counting, or repeating words silently. The OCD cycle follows a predictable pattern: an obsession triggers anxiety, which leads to a compulsion, providing temporary relief before the obsession returns, often stronger than before.
Everyone occasionally experiences intrusive thoughts or preferences for order. OCD differs significantly because the thoughts are persistent and uncontrollable, causing significant distress that impacts quality of life. Compulsions become time-consuming, often taking up more than an hour daily, and they interfere substantially with daily life, work, relationships, and normal functioning. People with OCD recognise their thoughts are excessive or unreasonable but feel powerless to stop them, creating additional distress and frustration.
To complete this screening test accurately, rate how much each statement has bothered you over the past month. Be completely honest about the frequency and impact of these experiences—there’s no judgment here. Think about your typical experience rather than focusing on just one particularly bad day. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers, and all questions should be answered for the most accurate results. This honest self-assessment is the first step toward understanding your symptoms and seeking appropriate support if needed.
Rating Scale: For each statement below, rate how much it has distressed or bothered you:
Add up your scores from all 18 questions. The total possible score ranges from 0 to 72 points. Score interpretation works as follows: 0-20 points indicates a low likelihood of OCD, 21-41 points suggests moderate concerns with possible OCD symptoms that warrant attention, and 42+ points indicates a high likelihood of OCD symptoms that are likely causing significant interference in your life.
The OCI-R measures six specific symptom areas through subscales. Washing/contamination fears are assessed in questions 5, 11, and 17. Checking behaviours are covered in questions 2, 8, and 14. Obsessing/intrusive thoughts are evaluated in questions 6, 12, and 18. Mental neutralising is measured in questions 4, 10, and 16. Ordering/symmetry concerns appear in questions 3, 9, and 15. Hoarding behaviours are assessed in questions 1, 7, and 13. You may score high in one or more specific areas, which helps identify your particular OCD symptom profile and can guide more targeted treatment approaches.
What this means: Your responses strongly suggest symptoms consistent with OCD. These symptoms are likely causing significant distress and meaningfully interfering with your daily life, relationships, work, or study. This level of symptom severity warrants professional evaluation and support.
Next steps: Book an appointment with your GP as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms. Request a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist who specialises in OCD treatment, as specialised care significantly improves outcomes. Bring your test results to your appointment to help explain what you’ve been experiencing. Consider contacting Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636), SANE Australia (1800 187 263), or the Black Dog Institute for additional support and resources whilst you wait for your appointment.
Important to know: OCD is a recognised medical condition, not a character flaw or personality weakness. It’s actually one of the most treatable anxiety disorders when proper evidence-based treatment is provided. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) has been shown in Australian research to be highly effective, with most people experiencing significant symptom reduction. Medication can also help alongside therapy, particularly for moderate to severe symptoms. You absolutely don’t have to continue living with these distressing symptoms—effective help is available.
What this means: You’re experiencing some obsessive-compulsive symptoms that may be affecting your quality of life, concentration, relationships, or daily functioning. While your symptoms may not meet the full diagnostic criteria for OCD, they definitely warrant attention and could benefit from professional input.
Next steps: Speak to your GP about your concerns at your next available appointment. Consider accessing counselling or therapy through Medicare’s Better Access scheme, which provides rebates for psychological services. Take time to learn about OCD through reputable Australian sources like Beyond Blue, the Black Dog Institute, or headspace if you’re a young person. Monitor whether your symptoms worsen over time, and definitely seek help if symptoms increase in frequency or severity, or if they cause more distress or interference.
Keep in mind: Early intervention can prevent symptoms from worsening and becoming more entrenched over time. Even subclinical OCD symptoms—those that don’t meet full diagnostic criteria—benefit significantly from treatment. Other mental health conditions such as generalised anxiety, depression, or panic disorder can coexist with OCD, so comprehensive assessment is valuable.
What this means: Your responses don’t strongly suggest OCD at this time. Your experiences appear to be within a typical range. However, if you’re still concerned about specific symptoms or if something feels particularly distressing, it’s absolutely worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
Remember: Everyone has occasional intrusive thoughts—research shows these are a normal part of human experience. Simply preferring order, cleanliness, or organisation doesn’t mean you have OCD; the disorder involves significant distress and functional impairment. If your symptoms are new, worsening, or have changed recently, it’s worth seeking advice from your GP. Trust your instincts if something feels wrong or concerning—you know yourself best, and it’s always okay to seek professional reassurance.
OCD is highly treatable, with Australian research showing most people experience significant improvement with proper, evidence-based treatment. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective treatment for OCD available. ERP works by gradually exposing you to feared situations whilst you learn to resist performing compulsions and tolerate the anxiety that arises. Research consistently demonstrates that anxiety naturally decreases over time without rituals. Treatment typically involves 12-20 sessions and can be delivered individually or in group formats through qualified psychologists.
How ERP works: Your psychologist helps you create a hierarchy of fears, ranking situations from least to most anxiety-provoking. You then gradually face these feared situations in a controlled, supported way. The crucial step is resisting the urge to perform compulsions whilst learning that anxiety decreases naturally without rituals, effectively breaking the OCD cycle.
Medication: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are the first-line medication for OCD in Australia. They’re often used alongside therapy for optimal results and may require higher doses than those used for depression. It typically takes 8-12 weeks to see the full therapeutic effect. Common medications prescribed include fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine, all available on the PBS.
Combined treatment using CBT with ERP plus medication is often the most effective approach, especially for moderate to severe OCD. Australian clinical guidelines recommend this combined approach for best outcomes.
Self-help strategies can complement professional treatment: delay compulsions gradually rather than stopping abruptly, reduce reassurance-seeking behaviours from family and friends, challenge OCD thoughts using techniques learned in therapy, practice mindfulness and acceptance strategies, join support groups to connect with others who understand, and educate family members about OCD to build a supportive environment.
Your GP is the essential first step for assessment and referral to specialist services. Under Medicare’s Better Access scheme, you can access up to 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year (with possible extension to 20 sessions).
Public mental health services vary by state and territory but may include community mental health teams and specialist anxiety disorder clinics in major cities. Some areas have dedicated OCD treatment programmes within public hospital systems.
Specialist OCD organisations and resources: Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) offers 24/7 support and information about OCD treatment options. SANE Australia (1800 187 263) provides helpline support and online forums. The Black Dog Institute offers evidence-based information and online programmes. Anxiety Australia provides resources specific to OCD and anxiety disorders. Online forums and peer support groups connect you with others experiencing similar challenges.
Private psychology services: Private psychologists specialising in OCD and ERP can often provide quicker access than public services. Search for psychologists through the Australian Psychological Society’s “Find a Psychologist” service, specifically looking for those trained in ERP. Medicare rebates apply under the Better Access scheme, though gap payments are common.
Recovery is absolutely possible with proper treatment and ongoing management. Many Australians achieve significant symptom reduction through evidence-based therapy, with some recovering completely and others learning to manage symptoms effectively without significant life interference. Whilst relapse can happen, particularly during stressful periods, you’ll have the tools and techniques to cope effectively when symptoms resurface.
Lifestyle factors that help: Regular physical exercise has been shown in Australian studies to reduce anxiety and improve mood. Prioritising good sleep hygiene supports mental health recovery. Developing effective stress management techniques prevents symptom escalation. Avoiding alcohol and recreational drugs is important, as these can worsen OCD symptoms and interfere with treatment. Maintaining social connections and relationships provides crucial support. Continuing to practice therapy techniques even when feeling well helps prevent relapse.
When to seek additional help: Contact your psychologist or GP if symptoms return or worsen significantly, major life changes trigger increased symptoms, compulsions are becoming unmanageable or taking up more time, you’re experiencing depression alongside OCD, or you’re struggling with daily functioning at work, study, or home.
For family and friends: Learning about OCD helps you understand what your loved one is experiencing. Avoid participating in rituals or providing reassurance, as this maintains the OCD cycle. Encourage treatment but remain patient—recovery takes time. Recognise that OCD is separate from the person; it’s an illness they’re managing. Remember to look after your own wellbeing too, as supporting someone with OCD can be challenging.
Myth: OCD is just about being clean and organised. Reality: OCD involves distressing obsessions and time-consuming compulsions across many themes including harm, contamination, symmetry, and intrusive thoughts—not just cleanliness or organisation.
Myth: Everyone’s a little bit OCD. Reality: OCD is a serious mental health disorder causing significant impairment and distress, not a personality quirk or preference for tidiness.
Myth: People with OCD can just stop if they try hard enough. Reality: OCD involves neurobiological components affecting brain circuits. Willpower alone isn’t sufficient—professional treatment using evidence-based approaches is needed for recovery.
Myth: OCD can’t be treated effectively. Reality: OCD is one of the most treatable mental health conditions when proper therapy is provided, with Australian research showing high success rates for CBT with ERP.
Myth: Medication is the only treatment option. Reality: CBT with ERP is often more effective than medication alone for long-term outcomes. Combined treatment works best for many Australians with moderate to severe OCD.
This screening is based on: Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory – Revised (OCI-R)
Reference: Foa, E.B., Huppert, J.D., Leiberg, S., Langner, R., Kichic, R., Hajcak, G., & Salkovskis, P.M. (2002). The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory: Development and validation of a short version. Psychological Assessment, 14(4), 485-495.
Important disclaimer: This online screening tool is not a diagnostic instrument. It provides guidance only and cannot replace professional evaluation by a qualified mental health provider registered with AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). OCD diagnosis requires comprehensive assessment by a trained professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If symptoms are causing significant distress or impairment, contact your GP for proper assessment and referral to appropriate treatment services. This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not store or collect personal health information, ensuring your privacy is protected in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles.