Formal assessments can help to identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide a clearer path forward for your mental health care. Insight’s trained therapists provide assessments that assist individuals of all ages to improve their lives. Assessments are helpful in identifying your levels of symptoms objectively. While assessments can vary from individual to individual, most times they include testing, interviews, observation, and consultation with one of Insight’s trained professionals. Many of these can be done as part of therapy but some may require a higher level of formality depending on the level of need and purpose of the assessment.
What is an OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) assessment?
OCD is an anxiety-based mental health disorder and is made up of two parts:
Obsessiveness, which is identified as distressing and intrusive thoughts that tend to repeatedly occupy your mind. These can fall into several different categories, including compulsive habits, which are the most well-known manifestation of the disorder.
Compulsiveness, which pertains to the actions that someone feels compelled to perform in order to reduce their anxiety level about the obsessive thoughts.
There are tests used to screen for and measure OCD. An assessment will measure how likely you are to have this disorder and the severity. Tests will measure areas such as the amount of time you spend on compulsive actions, how much OCD interferes with your life, how much distress OCD behaviours cause you, and how much control you have over your OCD. We will examine typical areas of concern for people with OCD:
- Contamination (germs, disease)
- Mental Contamination (feeling “dirty” due to impure thoughts)
- Hoarding (excessively saving items that are seen as worthless to most people)
- Ruminations (repeatedly thinking about the same thought/s)
- Intrusive Thoughts (unexpected thoughts that cause distress)
- Symmetry and Orderliness (the need for items to be arranged in a symmetrical manner or for behaviours to be performed a certain number of times)
Triggers (what emotions, experiences, or incidents trigger OCD)
Why is the assessment used?
Assessments for OCD are used to determine an accurate and valid diagnosis of the disorder, as well as the severity. Our therapists will complete the assessment and then discuss with you the best course of action to take depending on your diagnosis and current signs and symptoms.
The assessment process
We have specific, objective testing instruments to evaluate OCD. Part of this process also includes a gathering of background history and an interview. Depending on the level of assessment, more specific and thorough tests may be conducted.
An OCD assessment can be done as part of counselling or as a formal assessment. The typical length of a formal assessment can range from 1-4 hours.
Insight Psychological has several offices in locations across Alberta.
To learn more about booking an OCD assessment, please call 780-461-1717. We recognize that each individual has different needs and our intake and admin specialists will be able to provide you with an estimated quote and timeline for your assessment.
