Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale
Encyclopedia
The Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale, sometimes referred to as Y-BOCS, is a test to rate the severity of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms.
The scale, which was designed by Dr. Wayne Goodman and his colleagues, is used extensively in research and clinical practice to both determine severity of OCD and to monitor improvement during treatment. This scale, which measures obsessions separately from compulsions, specifically measures the severity of symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder without being biased towards the type of obsessions or compulsions present.
The scale is a clinician-rated, 10-item scale, each item rated from 0 (no symptoms) to 40 (extreme symptoms). The scale includes questions about the amount of time the patient spends on obsessions, how much impairment or distress they experience, and how much resistance and control they have over these thoughts. As well, the same types of questions are asked about compulsions (e.g., time spent, interference, etc). The results can be interpreted based on the score. A score of 0–7 is sub-clinical; 8–15 is mild; 16–23 is moderate; 24–31 is severe; and 32–40 is extreme. Patients scoring in the mild range or higher should consider professional help in alleviating obsessive–compulsive symptoms.
A self-rated version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale has been developed. The self-report and clinician-administered versions of the Y-BOCS are correlated to each other.
The scale, which was designed by Dr. Wayne Goodman and his colleagues, is used extensively in research and clinical practice to both determine severity of OCD and to monitor improvement during treatment. This scale, which measures obsessions separately from compulsions, specifically measures the severity of symptoms of obsessive–compulsive disorder without being biased towards the type of obsessions or compulsions present.
The scale is a clinician-rated, 10-item scale, each item rated from 0 (no symptoms) to 40 (extreme symptoms). The scale includes questions about the amount of time the patient spends on obsessions, how much impairment or distress they experience, and how much resistance and control they have over these thoughts. As well, the same types of questions are asked about compulsions (e.g., time spent, interference, etc). The results can be interpreted based on the score. A score of 0–7 is sub-clinical; 8–15 is mild; 16–23 is moderate; 24–31 is severe; and 32–40 is extreme. Patients scoring in the mild range or higher should consider professional help in alleviating obsessive–compulsive symptoms.
A self-rated version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale has been developed. The self-report and clinician-administered versions of the Y-BOCS are correlated to each other.
External links
- Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale - Online version of test
- Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale - Paper version of test
- Yale–Brown OC Scale (Y-BOCS) – OCD Severity Rating Scale at BrainPhysics Mental Health Resource