Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist
Use the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist with the Y-BOCS Scale to identify the OCD symptoms of your patient. Get access to a free PDF template now.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and the Y-BOCS Scale?
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), is a mental health disorder characterized by recurring intrusive thoughts, fears, urges, and images, all of which are collectively referred to as obsessions. Those who have OCD are susceptible to taking on certain behaviors and doing certain things as a result of these obsessions, sometimes routinely or religiously. These are referred to as compulsions.
Depending on the severity of the disorder, obsessions and compulsions can disrupt a person’s daily life. If the severity is moderate or high, a person with OCD tends to be distressed or anxious. To find a semblance of inner peace and relaxation, they must enact their compulsions because if they aren’t able to, the distress and anxiety might intensify and disrupt their day further.
To diagnose OCD, healthcare professionals will interview their patients and ask them about OCD symptoms, their medical history,, if they’re related to people who were obsessive-compulsive, conduct assessments, and cross-check all their findings with the criteria found in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
One way to gauge symptoms of OCD is using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS Scale). This scale takes the form of a ten-item questionnaire that’s divided into two parts. Five of the ten questions pertain to obsessions, while the remaining five pertain to compulsions.
Printable Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist
Download this Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist to assess client symptoms.
How to use the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist:
Generally, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale is accompanied by the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Symptom Checklist or Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist.
Once the patient has completed the Y-BOCS Scale, the next step is to conduct a detailed interview to gather more information. During this interview, you will inquire about their specific OCD symptoms. This is where the Y-BOCS Checklist becomes invaluable. Its purpose is to assist you in creating a Target Symptoms Checklist that accurately reflects the patient's OCD symptoms.
This checklist is divided into several sections, all of which have something to do with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Here are some of the sections you will see:
- Aggressive Obsessions (fear of harming the self, fear of harming others, having violent or horrific images suddenly rush through their mind, etc.)
- Contamination Obsessions (excessive concern with environmental contaminants, excessive concern with animals, being bothered by sticky substances or residues, etc.)
- Sexual Obsessions (having forbidden or perverse sexual thoughts, images, or impulses)
- Religious Obsessions (being concerned with sacrilege and blasphemy, having excess concern for what is right or wrong)
- Checking Compulsions (checking locks and appliances, checking that nothing terrible happened or will happen, etc.)
All you need to do is to ask them about these symptoms and if they currently have it or had them in the past. You must also mark their principal symptoms with a P. Those that are marked with a P will serve as the basis for the Targeted Symptoms List you will make.
Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist Example:
Now that you know the basic gist of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, what the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale is, and what the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist is all about and how to use it, it’s time for you to see what a filled-out checklist looks like.
The Y-BOCS Symptoms Checklist that we have is almost identical to the original. We say “almost” because we added an Additional Comments Box to accommodate healthcare professionals who have gone paperless. The Additional Comments Box is for indicating which symptoms are principal symptoms.
If you like what you see and believe this will help you diagnose patients with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, feel free to download our free Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist PDF template!
Download this Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist Example:
When is it best to use the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist?
The Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist is a companion to the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. When assessing a patient for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with the Y-BOCS Scale, it is crucial to have the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist attached. This ensures a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of symptoms.
Once you have completed the scale's questionnaire, it is crucial to interview your patient about their Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder symptoms using the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist. Whether you conduct this interview as part of the scale's questionnaire or separately, it is essential not to overlook this step. Take advantage of this opportunity to create a Targeted Symptoms Checklist, including the symptoms marked with a P. This will ensure a comprehensive and effective evaluation of your patient's condition.
Besides that, the only other time you get to use this will be the time when you’re finally cross-checking the information that you need and see if all of it or enough match the criteria for diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder indicated in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
What are the benefits of using the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist?
It’s a great tool to use to get to know patients better in light of their potential OCD.
In order to use this checklist effectively, you need to conduct a patient interview where you ask them if they have each of the symptoms listed on the sheet. You must also ask if they currently have or if they did in the past. Another thing that you must do is to ask how severe these symptoms are. Their answers will help you determine what the principal symptoms are.
It helps with the diagnostic process for OCD.
Diagnosing a patient with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder requires accuracy. To avoid misdiagnosing patients, it is extremely important that healthcare professionals refer to the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It should have the most updated criteria for diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
The Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist, alongside the Y-BOCS Scale, can help identify symptoms and narrow things down so healthcare professionals have the necessary information that they need to make a proper diagnosis.
It can help with the development of treatment plans.
The purpose of the Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist is to identify the specific symptoms of OCD experienced by the patient, with a particular focus on determining the principal symptoms. By engaging patients in an open discussion about their symptoms, clinicians can discern which symptoms should be considered as principal. These principal symptoms are marked with a "P" on the fully-accomplished Y-BOCS Symptom Checklist, providing valuable information for developing a personalized treatment plan. This approach ensures that the treatment plan can effectively address the symptoms that require the most attention based on the official diagnosis.
Commonly asked questions
That depends on the interview. At the very least, it could take thirty minutes to an hour. Don’t be surprised if it takes longer than that because your goal is to determine a patient’s principal OCD symptoms.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, or any healthcare professional in a diagnostic team for OCD.
While this resource is free, seeing a professional would be best. Yes, you may use this checklist to see if you have symptoms of OCD, but it’s better to see a professional so they can give you an official diagnosis. Please do not self-diagnose yourself with OCD.
