Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale

Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale

The Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a widely used test to measure the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. It was developed by Wayne K. Goodman and his colleagues at Yale University and Brown University.

Development

The Y-BOCS was developed in the late 1980s as a tool to assess the severity of symptoms in individuals diagnosed with OCD. The scale was designed to be sensitive to changes in symptom severity over time, making it useful for both clinical and research purposes.

Structure

The Y-BOCS consists of a semi-structured interview and a checklist. The interview is designed to assess the severity of obsessions and compulsions separately, while the checklist helps identify the specific types of obsessions and compulsions experienced by the individual.

Obsessions

Obsessions are intrusive and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that cause significant anxiety or distress. The Y-BOCS assesses the severity of obsessions based on five criteria:

• Time spent on obsessions
• Interference due to obsessions
• Distress associated with obsessions
• Resistance against obsessions
• Degree of control over obsessions

Compulsions

Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rigid rules. The Y-BOCS evaluates compulsions using the same five criteria as for obsessions:

• Time spent on compulsions
• Interference due to compulsions
• Distress associated with compulsions
• Resistance against compulsions
• Degree of control over compulsions

Scoring

The Y-BOCS is scored on a scale from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. Each of the ten items (five for obsessions and five for compulsions) is rated on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 4 (extreme symptoms). The total score is the sum of the scores for all ten items.

Uses

The Y-BOCS is used in both clinical settings and research studies to assess the severity of OCD symptoms. It is often used to monitor changes in symptoms over time, such as in response to treatment. The scale is also used in research to evaluate the efficacy of various therapeutic interventions for OCD.

Limitations

While the Y-BOCS is a valuable tool for assessing OCD symptoms, it has some limitations. It relies on self-reporting and clinician judgment, which can introduce bias. Additionally, the scale may not capture all aspects of OCD, such as the impact of symptoms on quality of life.

See also

• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Psychological assessment
• Cognitive behavioral therapy