Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)

Obsessive Thoughts (Questions 1-5)

Obsessions: Unwanted ideas, images, or impulses intruding on thinking despite efforts to resist. Often themes of harm, risk, contamination, doubt, order, or losing things.

1. TIME OCCUPIED by Obsessive Thoughts Score: —

How much of your time is occupied by obsessive thoughts?

0 None 1 Less than 1 hr/day or occasional occurrence 2 1 to 3 hrs/day or frequent 3 Greater than 3 and up to 8 hrs/day or very frequent occurrence 4 Greater than 8 hrs/day or nearly constant occurrence

2. INTERFERENCE due to Obsessive Thoughts Score: —

How much do obsessive thoughts interfere with work, school, social, or other important role functioning? Is there anything you don’t do because of them?

0 None 1 Slight interference with social or other activities, but overall performance not impaired 2 Definite interference with social or occupational performance, but still manageable 3 Causes substantial impairment in social or occupational performance 4 Incapacitating

3. DISTRESS Associated with Obsessive Thoughts Score: —

How much distress do your obsessive thoughts cause you?

0 None 1 Not too disturbing 2 Disturbing, but still manageable 3 Very disturbing 4 Near constant and disabling distress

4. RESISTANCE Against Obsessions Score: —

How much effort do you make to resist obsessive thoughts? How often do you try to disregard or turn your attention away?

0 Try to resist all the time 1 Try to resist most of the time 2 Make some effort to resist 3 Yield to all obsessions without attempting to control them, but with some reluctance 4 Completely and willingly yield to all obsessions

5. DEGREE OF CONTROL over Obsessive Thoughts Score: —

How much control do you have over obsessive thoughts? How successful are you in stopping or diverting them? Can you dismiss them?

0 Complete control 1 Usually able to stop or divert obsessions with some effort and concentration 2 Sometimes able to stop or divert obsessions 3 Rarely successful in stopping or dismissing obsessions, can only divert attention with difficulty 4 Obsessions are completely involuntary, rarely able to even momentarily alter obsessive thinking

Compulsive Behaviors (Questions 6-10)

Compulsions: Urges to perform repetitive, purposeful behaviors (rituals) or mental acts to lessen anxiety/discomfort, often linked to obsessions. Can include washing, checking, repeating, ordering, hoarding etc.

6. TIME SPENT Performing Compulsive Behaviors Score: —

How much time do you spend performing compulsions? How much longer do routine activities take due to rituals? How frequent are rituals?

0 None 1 Less than 1 hr/day or occasional performance 2 From 1 to 3 hrs/day, or frequent performance 3 More than 3 and up to 8 hrs/day, or very frequent performance 4 More than 8 hrs/day, or near constant performance (too numerous to count)

7. INTERFERENCE due to Compulsive Behaviors Score: —

How much do compulsions interfere with work, school, social, or other important role functioning? Is there anything you don’t do because of them?

8. DISTRESS Associated with Compulsive Behavior Score: —

How would you feel if prevented from performing your compulsion(s)? How anxious would you become?

0 None 1 Only slightly anxious if compulsions prevented 2 Anxiety would mount but remain manageable if compulsions prevented 3 Prominent and very disturbing increase in anxiety if compulsions interrupted 4 Incapacitating anxiety from any intervention aimed at modifying activity

9. RESISTANCE Against Compulsions Score: —

How much effort do you make to resist the compulsions?

0 Always try to resist 1 Try to resist most of the time 2 Make some effort to resist 3 Yield to almost all compulsions without attempting to control them, but with some reluctance 4 Completely and willingly yield to all compulsions

10. DEGREE OF CONTROL over Compulsive Behavior Score: —

How strong is the drive to perform the compulsion? How much control do you have over it?

0 Complete control 1 Pressure to perform the behavior but usually able to exercise voluntary control over it 2 Strong pressure to perform behavior, can control it only with difficulty 3 Very strong drive to perform behavior, must be carried to completion, can only delay with difficulty 4 Drive to perform behavior experienced as completely involuntary and overpowering, rarely able to even momentarily delay activity

Scoring Summary

Obsession Subtotal (0-20) 0

Compulsion Subtotal (0-20) 0

TOTAL SCORE (0-40) 0

Severity Level

Subclinical

Severity: 0-7 Subclinical; 8-15 Mild; 16-23 Moderate; 24-31 Severe; 32-40 Extreme