OBSESSIVE BELIEFS QUESTIONNAIRE EXTENDED (OBQ -EXT)

Patients Name: Date :

This inventory lists different attitudes or beliefs that people sometimes hold.
Read each statement carefully and decide how much you agree or
disagree with
it. For each of the statements, choose thc number on the rating
scale matching
the answer that best describes how you think. Because people are
different,
there are no right or wrong answers. To decide whether a given statement is
typical of your way of looking at things, simply keep in mind what you are like
most of the time.

1 2 3 5 6 7
Disagree Disagree Disagree Neither Agree Agree Agree
Very much moderately A little agree nor a little moderately Very much
Disagree

As youuse this scale, try to avoid using the middle point (4), but
rather indicate
whether you usually disagree or agree with the statements about your
own
beliefs and attitudes.

Having bad thoughts or urges means l am likely to act on them.

1 2 3 456 7
2 Having control over my thoughts is a sign of good 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
character.
3 If lam uncertain, there is something wrong
with me. 1 23 45 6 7
4 If Iam imagine something bad
happening, then Iamn 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
responsible for making sure that it doesn't happen.
5 If Idon't control my unwanted thoughts,
bad is
something 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
bound to happen.
6 I often things around me are unsafe.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 When I hear about a tragedy, I can't stop
If Iam
wondering,1 23 4 5 6
responsible in some way.
Whenever I lose control of my thoughts, I must 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
struggle to regain control.
9 lam much more likely to be punished then are others. 1
23 4 5 67
10 If lam not absolutelysure of something, Iam bound 1 2 3 45 6 7
to make a mistake.
11 There is only one right way to do things. 12 3 4 5 6 7
12
Iwould a better person If Igating more control over 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
my thoughts.
13 Things should be perfect according to my own 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
standards.
14 The more distressing my thoughts are, the greater 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
the risk that they will come true.
15 Tcan have no peace of mind as long as Ihave intrusive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
thoughts.
16
Ihings that are minor annovances for most people 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
seem like disasters for me.
17 Imust know what is going on in my mind at all times 1 2 3 4
so Ican control my 5 6 7
18 thoughts.
The more Ithink of something horrible, the
the risk it will come true. greater 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
19 In order to be a worthwhile
person, Imust be perfect 1 2 3 45 6 7
at everything Ido.
20 When I see any opportunity to do so, I must act to 1
2 3 4 5 6 7
prevent bad things from happening.
21 It is ultimately my
responsibility to ensure that 1 2 3 4 5 67
everything is in order.
22 If I fail at something, Iam a
23
failure as a person. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Even if harm is very unlikely, I should try to
prevent it 1 2 3
4 5 6 7
at any cost.
24 For me, having bad urges is as bad as
actually carrying 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
them out.
25 must think through the consequences of even my 1
2 3 4 56 7
smallest actions.
26 If an unexpected change occurs in my
daily life, 1 2
3 4 5 6 7
something bad will happen.
27 If Idon't react when Iforesee danger,
then | am to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
blame for any consequences.
28 If Ican't do something perfectly, Ishouldn't do it at 1 2
3 4 5 6 7
all.
29 Imust be ready to regain control of my
thinking1 2 3 4 5 6 7
whenever am intrusive thoughts or image occurs.
30 Bad things are more likely to haopen to me than to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
other people.
31 I must work to my full potential at all
32 It is essential for me to consider all
times. 1 2 3 4 5 67
possible outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
of a situation.
33 Even minor mistakes mean a job is not complete. 1 23 4 5 6 7
34 If Thave aggressive thoughts or impulses about my1 2 3 4 5 6 7
loved ones, this means Imay secretly want to hurt
them.
35 Imust be certain of my decisions. 1 2 3 45 6 7
36 If someone does a task better than Ido, that means I 1 2 3 4 56 7
failed the whole task.
37 If I have an intrusive thought while | am going 1 23 4 5 6 7
something what lam doing will be ruined.
38 In all kinds of daily situation, failing to prevent harm1 2 3 4 56 7
is just as bad as deliberately causing harm.
39 Avoiding serious problems (for example, illness or 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
accidents) requires constant effort on my part.
40 Small problems always seem to turn into big ones in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
my life.
41 For me not preventing harm is as bad as causing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
harm.
42 |should be upset if Imake a mistake. 1 2 3 4 5 67
43 Ishould make sure others are protected from any1 2 3 4 5 6 7
negative consequences of my decisions or actions.

44 If l exerciseenough willpower, Ishould be able to gain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

complete control over my mind.
45 For me, things are not right if they are not perfect. 1 2 3 45 6 7
46 Having nasty thoughts means Iam aterrible person. 1 23 45 6 7
47 Ioften belie I am responsible for things that other 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
people don't think are my fault.
48 If an intrusive thought pops into my mind, it must be 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
important.
49 Thinking about a good thing happening can prevent if 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
from happening.
50 If | do not take extra precautions, Iam more likely 1 2 3 4 5 67
than others to have or cause a serious disaster.
51 If Idon't do as well as other people, that means Iam 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
an inferior person.
52 |believe that the world is a dangerous place. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 7
53 In order to feel safe, I have to be as prepared as 1 2 3 4 5 6
possible for anything that could go wrong.
54 To avoid disasters, Ineed to control all the thoughts 1 2 3 45 6 7
or imagesthat pop into my mind.
55 Ishould not have bizarre or disgusting thoughts. 1 23 4 5 6 7
56 For me, making a mistake is as bad as failing1 2 3 4 5 6 7
completely.
57 It is essential for everythingtobe clear- cut, even in 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
minor matters.
58 Having a blasphemous thought is as sinful as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
committing a sacrilegious act.
59
Tshould be able to rid my mind of unwanted 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
thoughts.
60 I should be 100 percent certain that evervthing 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
around me is safe.
61 Tam more likely than other people to accidentally1 2 3 4 56 7
cause harm to myself or to others.
62 For me, even slight carelessness is inexcusable when 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
it might affect other people.
63 If something unexpected happens, I will not be able1 23 4 5 6 7
to cope with it.
64 Having bad thoughts means Iam weird or abnormal. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
65 I must be the best at things that are important to me. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

66 Having an unwanted sexual thought or image means 1 2 3 4 5 67

Ireallywant to do it.
67 If my action could have even a small effect on a 1 2 3 45 67
potential misfortune, I am responsible for the
outcome.
68 Even when I am careful, Iam often think that bad1 2 3 4 5 6 7
things will happen.
69 Having intrusive thoughts means I am out of control. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
70 It is terrible to be surprised. 1 2 3 456 7
71 Even if Ithink harm is very unlikely, Ishould still try to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
prevent it.
72 Harmful events wil happen unless Iam very careful. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
73 | should go to great lengths to get all the relevant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
information before Imake a decision.
74 Imust keep working at something until it's done 1 2 3 4 5 67
exactly right.
75 Being unable to controlunwantec
me physically ill. thoughts will make1 2 3 4 5 6 7
76
Having violent thoughts means I will lose control and 1 2 3
become violent. 45 6 7
77 To me, failing to prevent a disaster is as bad as
1 23 4 567
causing it.
78 If Idon't do a job perfectly,
79
people want respect me. 1 2 3 45 6 7
Even ordinary experiences in my life are full of risk. 1 2 3 45 6 7
80 When things go too well for me, something bad will 1 2 3 4 5 67
follow.
81 If Itake sufficient care, Ican prevent any harmful 1 2 3
4 5 6 7
accident from occurring.
82 When anything goes wrong in my life, it is likely to 1 2 3 45 6 7
have terrible effects.
83 Having a bad thought is morally no different than 1 2 3 4 56 7
doing a bad deed.
84 No matter whatI do, it won't be good enough. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
85 | often think that I will be overwhelmed by 1 2 3 4 5 67
unforeseen events.
86 If Idon't control my thoughts, I will be punished. 12 3 4 5 6 7
87 I need the people around me to behave in a 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
predictable way.

O BQ Addendum
Fear of positive experiences
1 For me good things are always followed by bad 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
ones.
2 If1start tofeel good, something wal ruin it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
3 Idon't deserve to feel good. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
4 Ishould avoid pleasure because it might trigger 1 2 3 45 6 7
bad thoughts.
5 If Istart to progress, Iwon't be able to maintain my 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
gains.
6 Good feelings are always replaced by bad ones. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 I will be punished for having agood time. 12 3 45 6 7
If Ibecome too confident, I will fail. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
9 If someone trusts me, eventually. will let them 12 3 45 6 7
down.
 10 When someone has confidence in me, eventually 1 23 4 5 6 7
they will be disappointed.
11 If Iam too successful, surely I will fail. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
12 If Ido well in treatment, eventually Iwill 12 3 4 5 6 7
13 If Iget better, Iwon't be able to relapse.
handle all of the 1 2 3 45 6 7
expectations placed on me.
14 I would rather keep
things the way they are than 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
try something new.
Consequences of Anxiety
15 It's important for me to
16 Iam often afraid that I
control anxiety. 1 2 3 4 56 7
will be overwhelmed by 123 4 56 7
anxiety.
17 Iflget highly anxious, l
18 | If
could lose control of myself. 1 23 4 5 6 7
the worst happens, Iwon't be able to cope with
it. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
19 | can't tolerate
feeling nervous or tense. 12 3 4 5 6 7
20 Anxiety will never go
21 Too much tension could away. 1 2 3 45 6 7
lead me to explode. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
22 Whenever lfeel
anxious,it must meanthat danger 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
is lurking about.
23 If| get very anxious, Iwon't be able to
24 manage it. 1 2 3 4 5
When I cannot keep my mind on atask, I worry that 1
6 7
23 45 6 7
Imight be going crazy.
25 |like to be in control of my emotions. 12 3 4 5 6 7
26 When I feel nervVous, I am afraid | might be 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
mentally ill.
27 High anxietyis harmful. 1 2 3 45 6 7
28 lam not confident that Ican control my anxiety. 1 23 45 6 7
29 Once lget nervous, Ithink myanxiety might get out 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
of hand.
 OBSESSIVE BELIEFS QUESTIONNAIRE EXTENDED (OBQ -EXT)
Patients Name Date:

This inventory lists different attitudes or beliefs that people sometimes hold
Read each statement carefully and decide how much you agree or disagree tati
with it. For each of the statements, choose the number on the rating scale
matching the answer that best describes how you think. Because pepple are
different, there are no right or wrong answers. To decide whether a given
statement is typical of your wayof looking at things, simplykeep in mind what
youare like most of the time.

OBQ Score Key

instrument The
The following is a scoring key for the first six domains of this
domain.
numbers in parentheses identify the statements pertaining to each

U= Tolerance for Uncertainty (3,40,26(32,35)53,57,60,63,70,73,85,87) ,

T Threat Estimation (6,9,16,30,39,40,50,52,61,68,72,79,30, 84)
C= Controlof thoughts (3,5,8,12,15,17,29,37,44,54,59,69,75,86) AH
1Importance of thoughts i1,14,18,24,34,46,48,49,55,58,64,66,76,B3)
(R= Responsibility (4,7,20,21,23,25,27,38,41,43,4762,67,71,77,81) |
P Perfectionism (1,13,19,22,28,31,33,36,42,45,51,56,65,74,78,84)1

1 2 3 4
567
Disagree Disagree Disagree Neither, Agree Agree s Agree
Very much moderately Alittle agreenoralittle moderately. Very mochi
D'sagree

As you use this scale,tryito avold using the middle point(4)) but ttheti
indicate whether you usuallycisARree or.agree with thelstatements aboütYOt
own beliefs and attitudes.
24 Cuue Tlherapy fo

harmng, sexual, h0arding relgins mmétr mcellaneous) and compulsions (cleari

ing checking repeatmgcounihe hnn nrrinng, hording. niiscellaneQus)
Althougis yo cAn determinewtotat co The Ra) purSe of this measure is to iden
tify the most sevete OÇD Syupron

Obsessive Belicfs QuestionnairENtended

appendix). The original verston
(OQ Ex1, OCCWG 1997; secthe
the OBQ selfrepXt instrument ussessès genernt
beliefs and attitudes in the tognitoe dom ins that hre thesubject of this treitmeir
nanal: netimporance of thougitS, Gontrol of thought, iverestin1tion st canget
destre for certainty, responshilty, nd pefecrienisn. Becnuse we hve ercounteret
many patients who also cxhibit (ears of pasitiyc cxperienccs and bave cxagrertal
Concerns abour consequcncex ofanxiery, we have Cxtended theorgmal ORy
adding qucstions pertaining to th0se two domalns 1s well.

Tou can use the qnestionnair o determine any donmin's severtty Simplu pli RE
scores fur starements pertaining to that domain, Natc: Atthe bennning ohthe qu
nchidscnfIRS
tnairC, the tirst six belief domains are mixed together, s we ve
key to lhelp yot determine which statements reflect wlhich damain ThL inn w
domains are listetl separately, so these shukt te relativty easy to sc)re This nstrI
Wilctrji
ment will help you dcterm1ne what content reas to foeus on during GT
cilcutateds fer cD
sCOres are not available, he following mcan scures have een
ene of the
patients and community participants for the frst six denuins To get
n u tic
severity of your patients OCD beliefs, yo0 can comparc yOur patuent
scores helow (higher scpres indicate stronger beliefs).

Normative Scores on the Obsessiva Beltefs Questionne

OCD Community Putpms
Overinportance af thoughts f 1 44.0 217
Control of thoughts 60.7 29
Overestination of lhanger Hweatt 54.1
Desire for ceriinrytearue Bo Cante 543
Reponsibilry 65.7
Perfectionism 63.6
Fear of posirive experiences 44.6
Conseqoerices of nxiety

Beck Deprçsston Inventorga

scale ts available Ih t
1-800-228-0752