Neurodivergence & OCD · 90 secs

Sensorimotor OCD & Somatic Hyperawareness Screener (Dr. David Veale Model)

Framework: Dr. David Veale & Dr. Steven Phillipson (Inhibitory Learning & Somatic ERP) · 100% Private & Free

Does conscious attention lock onto manual breathing, swallowing, or blinking with panic of losing biological autopilot? Free 12-item clinical screener measuring somatic fixation, loss of autopilot dread, and compulsive distraction strain.

Scientific Overview

Sensorimotor OCD involves obsessive conscious hyperawareness of automatic biological functions-most commonly breathing, swallowing, blinking, or bodily sensations-paired with catastrophic fear of permanent loss of biological autopilot. This screener measures interoceptive lock-in and exhaustion.

What This Assessment Evaluates

  • Measures 3 clinical dimensions: Somatic Fixation Lock-In, Loss of Autopilot Dread, and Compulsive Distraction Strain
  • Distinguishes benign body awareness from clinical sensorimotor obsessional lock-in
  • Includes ERP exposure hierarchy guidelines, inhibitory learning drills, and vocal decompression

How to Take This Test

  1. Answer honestly based on your experience over the past 7 days.
  2. There are no right or wrong answers; trust your initial emotional reaction.
  3. Receive your personalized score breakdown, mascot insight, and custom journaling prompts immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can focusing on breathing actually cause me to forget how to breathe automatically?

No. Breathing is controlled by the medulla oblongata and pons in the brainstem, an ancient, non-conscious survival circuit. Even when conscious attention interferes temporarily, autonomic control automatically reasserts itself when you fall asleep or engage in external activities.

Why does trying to distract myself from breathing make the obsession worse?

Frantic attempts to avoid thinking about breathing trigger the ironic process theory (white bear effect): your brain must continually scan to check if you are still noticing the breath, thereby reinforcing the neural spotlight on the lungs.

Medical Disclaimer

Medical Disclaimer: This instrument is designed for personal self-awareness, emotional tracking, and educational purposes. It is not a clinical diagnosis, psychological treatment, or a substitute for licensed psychiatric care.

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