Obsession test

Intrusive thoughts, constant doubts, and uncontrollable daily behaviors may be symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder; But many people do not take it seriously for a long time or even do not know that such a disorder exists. Obsession test is one of the practical psychological tools to identify these destructive mental patterns. If this test is answered accurately and honestly, it can be effective as the first step in the path of identification, evaluation and treatment. In this article, we have examined the obsessive-compulsive test, which is one of the most important tools for identifying chronic mental disorders. What is obsessive compulsive disorder? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is one of the disorders associated with obsessive mental patterns and repetitive behaviors. In this disorder, a person usually experiences unwanted, disturbing and stressful thoughts (obsessions) and performs repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to reduce the anxiety caused by it. The main difference between simple anxiety and OCD is that in the latter case, disturbing thoughts or actions are beyond the person's control and are sometimes irrationally repeated. This process can take from a few minutes a day to a few hours and interfere with his social, work or family functioning. The difference between mental obsessions and compulsive behaviors Mental obsessions include thoughts that suddenly enter a person's mind; Such as fear of contamination, endless doubts about doing things, or violent thoughts. In contrast, coercive behaviors include actions that a person takes to reduce the anxiety caused by these thoughts; Such as excessive hand washing, frequent checking of door locks, or counting of objects. Although these two cases are separate at first glance, in most cases they appear at the same time and are interdependent. The role of psychological tests in identifying obsessive-compulsive disorder The use of psychological screening tests is one of the practical methods for the initial examination of the mental state. These tests can be done in the form of self-assessment questionnaires or clinical interviews. Obsession test specifically measures the intensity, frequency and impact of obsessions and compulsive behaviors. These tools help psychiatrists better determine whether a person is just having normal concerns or is dealing with a more serious disorder. Of course, it should be emphasized that the results of these tests alone cannot take the place of clinical diagnosis, but are only one of the first steps in the evaluation process. The most important mental and behavioral symptoms related to OCD Correctly understanding the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder is a key condition for answering the tests accurately. These symptoms can vary from mild to severe, and depending on the type of obsession, they take different forms in different people, which require accurate diagnosis of behavioral patterns. Some of the most common symptoms of OCD are as follows: - Intense fear of germs or contamination despite the absence of a real threat - The need for complete order or symmetry in things - Intrusive thoughts about harming others or yourself - Obsessive doubts about doing daily tasks correctly - Repeated actions such as washing, counting or checking without a valid reason When should we do the obsessive compulsive test? Many times, obsessive-compulsive symptoms may be disguised as anxiety, job stress, or even extreme moralism. Hence, people may not realize they have a disorder. Conducting psychological tests is especially recommended when certain thoughts or behaviors have caused suffering, reduced concentration, or disrupted interpersonal relationships. Repeating negative or annoying automatic thoughts, feeling compelled to do certain things or feeling guilt and shame for no reason can be signs that lead a person to take the test. How to answer the obsession test To get reliable results from psychological tests, honesty in answering is essential. Many people tend to underestimate the intensity or frequency of their obsessive thoughts or are ashamed to admit it. In tests such as Y-BOCS (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale) or OCI-R questionnaire, questions are designed to cover different dimensions of obsession; including the amount of annoyance, time spent, mental resistance and its effects on daily functioning. Correct analysis of these answers requires clinical interpretation by a psychologist or psychiatrist. If the test result is positive, what is the next step? A positive answer to the test does not mean that there is a definite disorder, but it is a serious warning for treatment. It is necessary to see a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist at this stage. Many people mistakenly think that OCD will stay with them forever, but today there are a variety of effective treatments to manage and control this disorder. Combining psychotherapy (especially cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT) with drug therapy is the mainstay of psychiatric interventions. Along with these methods, new treatments are also being developed, which we will learn about later. ### rTMS treatment; An advanced and uncomplicated solution One of the most innovative treatment methods for resistant psychological disorders is the use of rTMS or magnetic brain stimulation technology. By sending magnetic pulses to certain areas of the brain, this device modulates neuronal activity and can help reduce the intensity of obsessions. The rTMS method is non-invasive, does not require drugs and usually does not cause side effects. The results of clinical studies show that in some patients with obsessions, the use of rTMS has caused a significant reduction in the severity of symptoms. ### Non-drug methods for managing obsessions Along with specialized treatments, there are also solutions that can be used as a supplement in better management of OCD symptoms. Continuous implementation of these methods can play an effective role in improving mental performance and control everyday anxiety caused by obsessive thoughts. Among the non-pharmacological methods, the following can be mentioned: - Daily practice of meditation or deep breathing to calm the mind - Writing obsessive thoughts and analyzing them with the help of an expert - Using the technique of stopping thought in the face of obsession - Aerobic exercises to improve mood and reduce nervous tension - Interaction with people with similar experience in psychological support groups