OCD Intrusive Thoughts Test

Intrusive thoughts can be overwhelming, annoying, or even scary at times. You might find yourself wondering what these thoughts mean and why you have them.

While occasional intrusive thoughts can be a completely normal experience, they can also be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). People with OCD struggle with persistent, unwanted ideas or images that cause significant distress and anxiety.

If this sounds like you, you're not alone. It's important to know that OCD is treatable, and these thoughts don't define who you are (even though they can be disturbing).

This quiz is designed as a self-assessment tool to help you better understand your intrusive thoughts and whether they might be a sign of OCD. Recognizing these thoughts and learning more about them is the first step toward managing them effectively.

Know that whether or not your quiz results indicate that you might have OCD, your experience are valid and help is available. Finding relief from intrusive thoughts is possible with the right support.

Let's get started.

How accurate is this quiz?

At Best Therapists, we believe that online mental health quizzes can be an excellent first step towards improving our mental health. Quizzes like this one can educate you and provide opportunities for self-reflection, but note that they are not a substitute for professional assessments and diagnoses.

Take our quiz below ↓

Your privacy is important to us, so all results are completely anonymous and no email is required.

Example scenarios

• Fear of Contamination: Sarah is a 28-year-old office worker. Throughout the day, she experiences recurring, unwanted thoughts about germs on everyday objects. When she touches a doorknob, she vividly imagines it covered in harmful bacteria. These thoughts cause her intense anxiety, leading her to wash her hands repeatedly, sometimes up to 20 times an hour. She knows her behavior is excessive, but feels unable to stop, fearing dire consequences if she doesn't clean her hands "properly."
• Harm OCD: Michael is a 35-year-old teacher who loves his job and students. However, he's plagued by intrusive thoughts of accidentally hurting a child. For instance, while teaching, he might suddenly have a vivid, unwanted image of pushing a student. These thoughts horrify him, as he would never want to harm anyone. To cope, he often asks other teachers to supervise his class or avoids being alone with students, which interferes with his work and causes him significant distress.
• Symmetry and Ordering: Lisa is a 42-year-old accountant who experiences intrusive thoughts about things being "just right." When arranging items on her desk, she's bombarded with thoughts that if objects aren't perfectly aligned, something terrible will happen to her family. She spends hours arranging and rearranging items, often making herself late for meetings. Despite knowing these thoughts are irrational, she feels intense anxiety if she doesn't give in to the compulsion to organize things "correctly."

These examples illustrate how intrusive thoughts in OCD can be distressing, time-consuming, and interfere with daily life. The thoughts are unwanted and go against the person's values, causing significant anxiety. The individual often recognizes that the thoughts are irrational but feels compelled to act on them to relieve anxiety.