Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS)

The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) is a measurement tool used to assess the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Developed at Yale University, this scale focuses on factors such as the duration, frequency, severity of obsessions and compulsions, and an individual's ability to control these obsessions and compulsions.

Y-BOCS is administered through interviews with individuals to assess obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It measures the content of a person's obsessions, how long they experience these thoughts, the impact of these thoughts on the individual, and the individual's efforts to prevent or reduce these thoughts. Similarly, it evaluates the type, frequency, duration of compulsions, and the reasons for an individual's performance of these behaviors.

Y-BOCS is used for various purposes, including determining the severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder, assessing treatment effectiveness, and being utilized in clinical research. This scale is commonly used in clinical settings to understand the symptoms of OCD and guide treatment processes.