Obsessive-compulsive disorder

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What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?

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.

Common symptoms reported by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Listen to Music Cigarettes Reading
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Clonazepam Lorazepam Alprazolam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Multivitamins Naps
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Risperidone Sertraline Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Fluoxetine Sertraline Venlafaxine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Bach flowers Brainwave Entrainment Bromazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Ibuprofen Tramadol Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
33
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (23) depressed mood (17)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
31
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (21) depressed mood (13)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
27
Tried for
anxious mood (14) depressed mood (12)
4 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
26
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (26)
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
25
Tried for
anxious mood (23) obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
20
Tried for
anxious mood (19) depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
19
Tried for
depressed mood (14) obsessive-compulsive disorder (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Luvox)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
19
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (19) depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
16
Tried for
pain (9) anxious mood (6)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
15
Tried for
depressed mood (8) obsessive-compulsive disorder (7)
1 more
Data from patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (19 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased appetite drowsiness 18 more
Total evaluations
30
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (23) depressed mood (17)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (12 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased appetite diarrhea 17 more
Total evaluations
19
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (21) depressed mood (13)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (12 evaluations)
Side effects
apathy anxious mood 18 more
Total evaluations
22
Tried for
anxious mood (14) depressed mood (12)
4 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (17 evaluations)
Side effects
feeling abandoned flashbacks 4 more
Total evaluations
21
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (26)
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (10 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness crying 3 more
Total evaluations
16
Tried for
anxious mood (23) obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (6 evaluations)
Side effects
sleepiness tiredness
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
anxious mood (19) depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (9 evaluations)
Side effects
bipolar I disorder excessive anger 1 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
depressed mood (14) obsessive-compulsive disorder (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Luvox)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (10 evaluations)
Side effects
anxious mood brain fog 9 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (19) depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (1 evaluation)
Side effects
excessive appetite hypomania
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
pain (9) anxious mood (6)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (3 evaluations)
Side effects
weight gain anxiety attacks 12 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
depressed mood (8) obsessive-compulsive disorder (7)
1 more
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None
Data from patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Who has obsessive-compulsive disorder on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 48
20s 685
30s 1257
40s 1213
50s 889
60s 404
70+ 115
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 1237
20-29 years 315
30-39 years 152
40-49 years 73
50-59 years 13
60-69 years 4
70+ years 1

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1028
Female 3599
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2364
Not Diagnosed 1811
These charts show data from OCD patients who have completed their condition history
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