People experiencing symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, should report to their doctors as soon as possible for an examination. There are several steps your doctor will go through in order to determine if you have OCD. Some people who have the disease may be too embarrassed to schedule an appointment, but what they should realize is that OCD is a fairly common disorder, and the sooner they receive treatment, the better they will feel.

The Examination

First, as with any medical appointment, the doctor will record your family and medical history, including whether you have close family members with the disease. The doctor will then perform a physical exam to rule out any other causes. If these causes are dispensed with, he can move on to performing a mental health assessment. This assessment will consist of an evaluation of your ability to think, reason, and remember –all of which are part of cognitive functioning. He will also examine your ability to function emotionally.

The doctor may also recommend an examination of the nervous system. This may include oral or written tests as well as lab tests to rule out other causes again or to check for chemical imbalances. The doctor will study your overall appearance, behavior, and mood, as well as review your cognitive functions again. Your ability to express yourself will also be examined during the evaluation. There are a few questions that need to be asked during the examination. For example, the doctor may ask if you have repetitive thoughts throughout the course of the day for no reason. He may also ask if you have a compulsion to be neat, clean, and orderly. Do you wash your hands frequently, or are you scared of being contaminated? Do you have the tendency to over-check certain things like whether you turned the stove off?

Answering yes to some or all of these questions can help the doctor to provide a fair and accurate diagnosis of your condition, as these are classic symptoms of people with the disorder. Although the diagnosis process may seem long, it is vital and necessary in order to properly treat patients with OCD and to enable them to begin living well again.

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