The Y-BOCS is the most widely used tool for assessing the global severity of OCD. It contains two parts: a checklist of over 50 types of obsessions and compulsions, and a 10-item severity scale on which the most prominent obsessions and compulsions are rated.

The Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a test to rate the severity of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. The scale, which was designed by Wayne K.

Currently, several different methods are used to assess obsessive-compulsive symptoms, including diagnostic interviews, clinician administered inventories, self-report measures and parent-report measures. In fact, in the past few years, numerous OCD measures have been developed and/or published.

The Children’s Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (CY-BOCS; 22, 23) is currently the instrument of choice to assess the presence and severity of OCD symptoms in children/adolescents and to monitor treatment.

What does the test consist of? The test consists of eight questions which relate to common OCD symptoms. The first four questions relate to thought symptoms; the second four are concerned with compulsions you might be experiencing. The questions are designed to analyse the likelihood of you having the condition.

In order to determine if a patient meets DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for OCD, the patient must experience the presence of recurrent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts (ie, obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors or rituals (ie, compulsions) intended to relieve the fear, anxiety, and/or distress associated with obsessions.

Research has established a strong link between bipolar disorder and OCD. Interestingly, one analysis found that OCD occurs with bipolar disorder at a much higher rate than the major depressive disorder.

There is some evidence that a diagnosis of OCD may be associated with a higher risk for later development of both schizophrenia and BD, but the nature of the relationship with these disorders is still unclear.

“People with bipolar disorder often report that there’s an obsession of the day or the week, and as one problem gets resolved, it can easily be replaced by another problem,” Hubbard says. “There’s something in the brain that needs to ruminate and worry and obsess about different topics.

Adjuvant topiramate or olanzapine- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor/clomipramine combination along with mood stabilizer is found to be effective for treating OCD in BD. Use of other conventional pharmacological agents and psychotherapy for treating comorbid OCD in BD lacks evidence and is limited to case reports.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are common in patients with bipolar disorders. This comorbid condition complicates the clinical treatment of the two disorders, so identifying these individuals is important.

Obsession symptoms

• Fear of contamination or dirt.
• Doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
• Needing things orderly and symmetrical.
• Aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and harming yourself or others.
• Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects.

Abrupt onset of OCD may result from an infection. Infections and an autoimmune response can cause encephalitis (brain inflammation) which may result in behavioral changes or neuropsychiatric symptoms.

The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).