OCI-R (OCD Screen)

Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R)

Self-report screening for OCD symptoms and subtype identification over the past month.

1. I have saved up so many things that they get in the way.

Hoarding

2. I check things more often than necessary.

Checking

3. I get upset if objects are not arranged properly.

Ordering

4. I feel compelled to count while I am doing things.

Neutralizing

5. I find it difficult to touch an object when I know it has been touched by strangers or certain people.

Washing

6. I find it difficult to control my own thoughts.

Obsessing

7. I collect things I don’t need.

Hoarding

8. I repeatedly check doors, windows, drawers, etc.

Checking

9. I get upset if others change the way I have arranged things.

Ordering

10. I feel I have to repeat certain numbers.

Neutralizing

11. I sometimes have to wash or clean myself simply because I feel contaminated.

Washing

12. I am upset by unpleasant thoughts that come into my mind against my will.

Obsessing

13. I avoid throwing things away because I am afraid I might need them later.

Hoarding

14. I repeatedly check gas and water taps and light switches after turning them off.

Checking

15. I need things to be arranged in a particular order.

Ordering

16. I feel that there are good and bad numbers.

Neutralizing

17. I wash my hands more often and longer than necessary.

Washing

18. I frequently get nasty thoughts and have difficulty getting rid of them.

Obsessing

Foa EB. (2002)

Guidelines & Evidence

Clinical Details

Section 1

When to Use

Clinical Utility

Screening for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in clinical populations.

Evaluating the severity of OCD symptoms across multiple symptom dimensions.

Measuring treatment response to SSRIs or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

Distinguishing between different OCD subtypes (e.g., hoarding, washing).

Section 2

Formula & Logic

Scoring Component

The OCI-R consists of 18 items, each rated from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) based on how much the symptom distressed the patient in the past month.

Symptom Subscales

Washing	Items 1, 7, 13
Obsessing	Items 6, 12, 18
Hoarding	Items 2, 8, 14
Ordering	Items 3, 9, 15
Checking	Items 4, 10, 16
Neutralizing	Items 5, 11, 17

Cutoff Score

A total score of 21 or higher is generally considered indicative of a clinical diagnosis of OCD.

Section 3

Pearls/Pitfalls

Screening vs. Severity

While the Y-BOCS is the gold standard for clinician-rated severity, the OCI-R is a highly efficient self-report tool for screening and subtype identification.

Clinical Pearls

High scores in the "Neutralizing" subscale (mental rituals) can be harder to identify in standard intakes than overt behaviors like washing.

The OCI-R is valid even in populations with comorbid anxiety or depression.

Always check the "Hoarding" subscale separately; hoarding often requires a different therapeutic approach than other OCD subtypes.

Section 4

Next Steps

Score ≥ 21: Conduct a follow-up clinician-rated assessment (e.g., Y-BOCS).

Treatment Selection: High scores in "Obsessing" or "Neutralizing" may require more intensive Cognitive restructuring combined with ERP.

Comorbidity Check: High total scores warrant screening for comorbid Tic disorders or ADHD, particularly in pediatric/adolescent patients.

Section 5

Evidence Appraisal

Primary Reference

The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised: development and validation

Foa EB et al. • Psychological Assessment. 2002;Vol 14, Issue 4. pp. 485-496. Established the revised 18-item version.

Section 6

Literature

Edna B. Foa

Developed by Dr. Edna Foa, a world leader in the study and treatment of anxiety and OCD. Her work has fundamentally shaped modern ERP protocols.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Psychiatry Tools

Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale — Cognitive

Eating Attitudes Test

Binge Eating Scale

Clinical Impairment Assessment

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.

OCI-R (OCD Screen)

Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory (OCI-R)

Self-report screening for OCD symptoms and subtype identification over the past month.

1. I have saved up so many things that they get in the way.

Hoarding

2. I check things more often than necessary.

Checking

3. I get upset if objects are not arranged properly.

Ordering

4. I feel compelled to count while I am doing things.

Neutralizing

5. I find it difficult to touch an object when I know it has been touched by strangers or certain people.

Washing

6. I find it difficult to control my own thoughts.

Obsessing

7. I collect things I don’t need.

Hoarding

8. I repeatedly check doors, windows, drawers, etc.

Checking

9. I get upset if others change the way I have arranged things.

Ordering

10. I feel I have to repeat certain numbers.

Neutralizing

11. I sometimes have to wash or clean myself simply because I feel contaminated.

Washing

12. I am upset by unpleasant thoughts that come into my mind against my will.

Obsessing

13. I avoid throwing things away because I am afraid I might need them later.

Hoarding

14. I repeatedly check gas and water taps and light switches after turning them off.

Checking

15. I need things to be arranged in a particular order.

Ordering

16. I feel that there are good and bad numbers.

Neutralizing

17. I wash my hands more often and longer than necessary.

Washing

18. I frequently get nasty thoughts and have difficulty getting rid of them.

Obsessing

Foa EB. (2002)

Guidelines & Evidence

Clinical Details

Section 1

When to Use

Clinical Utility

Screening for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in clinical populations.

Evaluating the severity of OCD symptoms across multiple symptom dimensions.

Measuring treatment response to SSRIs or Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

Distinguishing between different OCD subtypes (e.g., hoarding, washing).

Section 2

Formula & Logic

Scoring Component

The OCI-R consists of 18 items, each rated from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) based on how much the symptom distressed the patient in the past month.

Symptom Subscales

Washing	Items 1, 7, 13
Obsessing	Items 6, 12, 18
Hoarding	Items 2, 8, 14
Ordering	Items 3, 9, 15
Checking	Items 4, 10, 16
Neutralizing	Items 5, 11, 17

Cutoff Score

A total score of 21 or higher is generally considered indicative of a clinical diagnosis of OCD.

Section 3

Pearls/Pitfalls

Screening vs. Severity

While the Y-BOCS is the gold standard for clinician-rated severity, the OCI-R is a highly efficient self-report tool for screening and subtype identification.

Clinical Pearls

High scores in the "Neutralizing" subscale (mental rituals) can be harder to identify in standard intakes than overt behaviors like washing.

The OCI-R is valid even in populations with comorbid anxiety or depression.

Always check the "Hoarding" subscale separately; hoarding often requires a different therapeutic approach than other OCD subtypes.

Section 4

Next Steps

Score ≥ 21: Conduct a follow-up clinician-rated assessment (e.g., Y-BOCS).

Treatment Selection: High scores in "Obsessing" or "Neutralizing" may require more intensive Cognitive restructuring combined with ERP.

Comorbidity Check: High total scores warrant screening for comorbid Tic disorders or ADHD, particularly in pediatric/adolescent patients.

Section 5

Evidence Appraisal

Primary Reference

The Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised: development and validation

Foa EB et al. • Psychological Assessment. 2002;Vol 14, Issue 4. pp. 485-496. Established the revised 18-item version.

Section 6

Literature

Edna B. Foa

Developed by Dr. Edna Foa, a world leader in the study and treatment of anxiety and OCD. Her work has fundamentally shaped modern ERP protocols.

Last Comprehensive Review: 2026

Related Psychiatry Tools

Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents

Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale — Cognitive

Eating Attitudes Test

Binge Eating Scale

Clinical Impairment Assessment

Have feedback about this calculator?Let us know.