PERINATAL / POSTPARTUM OCD TEST


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	Perinatal / Postpartum OCD Test

Perinatal / Postpartum OCD is a condition in which a woman’s OCD symptoms begin or are exacerbated either during pregnancy or soon after giving birth. As in all cases of OCD, a woman with Perinatal / Postpartum OCD experiences obsessions (repetitive, unwanted thoughts, ideas, or images), and/or performs compulsions (repetitive behaviors) in an effort to avoid or decrease the anxiety created by these obsessions. In women with Perinatal / Postpartum OCD, the focus of the obsessions is often on the fear of purposely or accidentally harming the newborn. The OCD Center of Los Angeles offers the following brief questionnaire in an effort to help you get a better idea of whether or not you are exhibiting signs of Perinatal / Postpartum OCD. Simply check those items that apply to you, and email it to us using the simple form below. While this questionnaire is not meant to replace a thorough evaluation, it may help in identifying traits of Perinatal / Postpartum OCD.
1.	I worry excessively about purposely harming my child or others who I care about (i.e. suffocating my child, stabbing my husband.
2.	I frequently worry about accidentally harming my child or others I care about (i.e., accidentally poisoning my child, accidentally exposing my child to potentially dangerous household chemicals).
3.	I excessively worry that I will be indirectly responsible for something bad occurring to my child (i.e., “I must ensure that my child is never exposed to certain things such as immunization shots, rare diseases, dangerous plants, etc., or else he/she could be seriously harmed and I would be responsible”.
4.	I worry excessively that, if I don’t perform certain superstitious behaviors, bad things will occur and it will be my fault (i.e. needing to repeatedly tap on wood or say certain phrases in order to prevent my child from dying.
5.	I prefer to minimize or avoid being alone with my child in order to avoid harming my child, or to avoid having thoughts about harming him/her.
6.	I avoid being around certain objects (i.e., knives, scissors, guns) in order to avoid harming my child, or having thoughts about harming him/her.
7.	I avoid driving with my child in order to ensure that I do not get into an auto accident with him/her.
8.	I have great difficulty feeding my child because I am afraid I may poison or choke him/her.
9.	I often repeat routine, daily activities to ensure that I did not or will not expose my child to harm (i.e., putting away sharp objects, locking the house, turning off the stove.
10.	I often repeat routine behaviors (e.g., getting dressed, turning off light switches, etc.) because I am concerned that I had a “bad” thought about my child when I initially performed that behavior.
11.	I excessively wash, shower, change my clothes, and/or use antibacterial wipes to ensure that I do not expose my child to germs, chemicals, insecticides, or other potentially dangerous things.
12.	I worry a great deal that my child has an illness, disease, or other medical condition, and that he/she will die if I fail to get appropriate treatment.
13.	I worry excessively that I do not really love my child.
14.	I worry that I want to sexually molest my child.
15.	I prefer to minimize or avoid being alone with my child in order to avoid having thoughts of sexually molesting him/her.
16.	I prefer not to bathe my child or change his/her diapers because I am afraid I will sexually molest him/her, or that I will have thoughts about sexually molesting him/her.
17.	I often recite prayers in an effort to rid myself of unwanted sexual thoughts or harming thoughts related to my child.
18.	I repeatedly ask others for reassurance that I have not done something "wrong," "bad," harmful, or sexually inappropriate with my child.
19.	I had some OCD prior to my pregnancy, but my obsessions and/or compulsions became significantly more severe either during my pregnancy, or after I gave birth.
20.	I did not have any significant OCD features prior to my pregnancy, but developed obsessions and/or compulsions for the first time either during my pregnancy, or after I gave birth.
21.	I am significantly distressed, anxious, and/or depressed about my obsessions and compulsions.
22.	My obsessions and compulsions are interfering with my ability to care for my child.
23.	My obsessions and compulsions are interfering with my relationships and/or with my academic or professional functioning.
24. I spend hours per day having obsessions and/or doing compulsions.
25. The primary focus of my obsessions and compulsions is:

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Please note: By sending this email, you are agreeing to be contacted by the OCD Center of Los Angeles. We respect your privacy and confidentiality and we will never share, sell, rent, loan, or give away your name, email address, or any other personal information to anyone.

If you would like more information regarding Perinatal / Postpartum OCD, or would like to discuss individual or group therapy at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, you can call us at (310) 335-5443, or click here to email us. If you live outside Southern California, we recommend that you contact a licensed Cognitive-Behavioral therapist in your local area.

This questionnaire was developed partly on the basis of clinical experience of staff therapists at the OCD Center of Los Angeles, and partly as an adaptation of various pre-existing psychometric measures, including the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS). Please note that the above test is not meant to replace a complete and thorough evaluation by a licensed Cognitive-Behavioral therapist or other qualified mental health professional. Some women with Perinatal / Postpartum OCD may benefit from medication, and may therefore benefit from a psychiatric evaluation. Likewise, a psychiatric assessment may be necessary to differentiate between Perinatal / Postpartum OCD and other psychological conditions. If an evaluation is indicated, the OCD Center of Los Angeles can refer you to a qualified psychiatrist in our area. Furthermore, it is imperative to make the distinction between Perinatal / Postpartum OCD and other medical conditions. For this reason, in some cases, a medical examination may be necessary.

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Specializing in the Treatment ofOCD, Perinatal / Postpartum OCD,and Related Conditions

Specializing in the Treatment of
OCD, Perinatal / Postpartum OCD,
and Related Conditions