Background Information
This scale is designed to rate the severity of obsessive and compulsive symptoms in children and adolescents, ages 6-17 years. Rate the characteristics of each item for the past week leading up to, and including, the time of completing this questionnaire. Answers should reflect the average of each item for the entire week, unless otherwise specified.
We are looking to evaluate your child's obsessions and compulsions.
Obsessions are thoughts, ideas or pictures that keep coming into your mind even though you do not want them to. They may be unpleasant, silly or embarrassing. An example of an obsession could be the repeated thought that germs or dirt are harming you or other people, or that something unpleasant might happen to you or someone in your family or someone special to you. These are thoughts that keep coming back, over and over again.
Compulsions are things that you feel you have to do although you may know that they do not make sense. Sometimes you may try to stop from doing them but this might not be possible. You might feel worried or angry or frustrated until you have finished what you have to do. An example of a compulsion could be the need to wash your hands over and over again even though they are not really dirty, or the need to count up to a certain number while you do certain things.