What is OCD?

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, persistent obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions are the intrusive ideas, thoughts, or images and compulsions are repetitive and seemingly purposeful behavior generally recognized as senseless.

What is it like to have OCD?

Common Symptoms Patients' Latest Severity My Current Severity  
Severity
Severe
Moderate
Mild
None
Intrusive thoughts images or impulses None Mild Moderate Severe
Ritual or repeated behaviors None Mild Moderate Severe

What do patients take to treat OCD and its symptoms?

Commonly prescribed and frequently used treatments

Treatment name Efficacy Overall rating of side effects # of Evaluations
Individual Therapy
(Meditation - Reflection, Mentalization Based Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Individual Therapy, Drug Treatment Centers)
21
Fluoxetine
(Moltoben, Flunil, Actan, Verotina)
17
Sertraline
(Eleva, Lustral, Tolrest, Daxid)
11
Fluvoxamine
(Voxam, Dumirox, Luvox CR, Movox)
10
Clomipramine
(Anafranil)
5

These charts show data from OCD patients' latest treatment evaluations

Who has OCD at PatientsLikeMe?

<20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70+
Current Age
Distribution of females vs. males
Gender
77% Females
23% Males
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom # of patients Proportion
0-19 yrs 658
20-29 yrs 172
30-39 yrs 102
40-49 yrs 44
50-59 yrs 10
60-69 yrs 1
70+ yrs 1
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status # of patients Proportion
Diagnosed 1384
Not Officially Diagnosed 1753

These charts show data from OCD patients who have completed their condition history