Who is affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder?

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Who is affected by obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder that affects 2% to 3% of the general population (millions of people worldwide).¹

• OCD usually begins during late adolescence or early adulthood.
• One-third of those with OCD report that their first symptoms began before the age of 15.²
• OCD occurs equally in males and females.
• OCD usually starts earlier in males than in females. (It is possible for preschool children to develop OCD, although this is rare.)³
  • Males most often develop OCD between the ages of 6 and 15.
  • Females usually develop OCD between the ages of 20 and 29.
  • OCD is found in people from all ethnic backgrounds.
  • OCD occurs more often in people who have parents or siblings (first-degree family members) with OCD.^{3, 4}

References

Citations

1. Soomro GM (2005). Obsessive compulsive disorder. Online version of Clinical Evidence (14): 1–17.

2. King RA, et al. (1998). Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37(10, Suppl): 27S–45S.

3. American Psychiatric Association (2000). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed., text rev., pp. 456–463. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

4. Nestadt G, et al. (2000). A family study of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 57(4): 358–363.

Credits

Last updated:	July 27, 2006
Author:	Sabra L. Katz-Wise
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman