Vous êtes sur la page 1sur 2

How Do I Know If I Have ObsessiveCompulsive Disorder?

By Wayne K. Goodman, MD
~ 2 min read

There is no reliable diagnostic test for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The


diagnosis is usually based on a thorough face-to-face interview conducted by an
experienced mental health professional. Perhaps someday, as we learn more
about the underlying biology of OCD, there will be genetic markers or
characteristic patterns on brain scans that will confirm diagnosis. But we are not
there yet. On the other hand, obtaining some medical tests may be appropriate
to rule out neurological conditions that may produce obsessive-compulsive
symptoms.
For example, consider a person who shows symptoms of OCD for the first time
after a head injury at the age of 45. It would be reasonable to pursue the
possibility that an acute injury to the brain might have caused the symptoms of
OCD. Another example is a 10-year-old girl who suddenly develops concerns
about germs and begins washing her hands incessantly. She also displays
jerking movements of her arms. These symptoms appear one month after
having had a suspected strep throat.
Although such onset is not typical of OCD, there is reason to believe that some
cases may be precipitated by an abnormal reaction of the immune system to an
untreated upper respiratory infection. Sue Swedo, MD, of the National Institute
of Mental Health has coined the term PANDAS to refer to this variety of OCD.
Most cases of OCD begin inconspicuously and gradually become more apparent
over many months or years. It is only in retrospect that one looks back and
recognizes some of the early signs of the illness.
Nevertheless, there are some things you can do to determine if you have OCD.
In fact, the majority of individuals who are diagnosed as having OCD first make
the diagnosis themselves. The process of discovering OCD often starts with
watching a TV talk show or news segment, or reading a newspaper, magazine or
internet article, like you are doing right now. Awareness about OCD grew

following a 1987 segment on OCD broadcast by the ABC-TV network program


20/20. That coverage triggered a cascade of media attention on OCD that
stimulated clinical and research activity and galvanized an advocacy movement
culminating in the formation of the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, Inc.
Many people with OCD felt alone until they witnessed the story of someone like
themselves. They thought they were losing their mind until they realized they
were suffering from a legitimate brain-based illness. They didnt know how to
describe their experience until they heard it described by someone else who
gave it a name. They finally had hope because scientists were making progress
in squelching this unwelcome ruler of their inner domain.
It often takes people a long time to seek out help for OCD, even after they learn
it is a treatable illness. Individuals may call years after viewing an OCD story on
Oprah or 20/20 to ask for a consultation. When asked why it took so long, the
reason given is usually embarrassment. The symptoms of OCD can be so
disagreeable and so private that they are very difficult to share with anyone,
including loved ones and trained professionals. A simple device used to reduce
the shame of sharing such sensitive material is a checklist featuring examples of
obsessive-compulsive behavior. Although it is best to do this in person, some
people prefer to fill out a questionnaire initially on their own.
Sometimes the examples seem absurd and one cant imagine how anyone in her
right mind could have such thoughts or engage in such ludicrous behaviors.
Other times, the questions are right on target and it feels like the checklist was
written just for the individual completing it. To experienced clinicians, none of
the thoughts or behaviors of OCD seem odd or outlandish. They are products of
the disease, the hiccups of the brain as Judith Rapoport, MD, once called them.
The symptoms of OCD dont influence a clinicias perception of the person so
afflicted any more than pus from an infected wound would make a physician feel
that the patient is morally decayed.
http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/ocdquiz.htm

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi