The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) assesses obsessions and compulsions each across five parameters. What is the total score range, and what score indicates 'severe' OCD?

• A 0–20 total; ≥15 is severe
• B 0–40 total; ≥24 is severe ✓
• C 0–40 total; ≥32 is severe
• D 0–100 total; ≥60 is severe

Explanation

The Y-BOCS rates obsessions and compulsions each on 5 items (time occupied, interference, distress, resistance, control) scored 0–4, giving a subscale maximum of 20 and total maximum of 40. Severity classification: 0–7 subclinical, 8–15 mild, 16–23 moderate, 24–31 severe, 32–40 extreme. A score ≥24 indicates severe OCD. The Y-BOCS is the gold-standard clinician-administered outcome measure for OCD treatment trials and is also used to determine treatment eligibility for neurosurgical interventions (DBS/capsulotomy) in treatment-resistant OCD.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

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