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
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Multivitamins Naps
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Clonazepam Alprazolam Lorazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Risperidone Sertraline asenapine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Fluoxetine Sertraline Bupropion
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
No treatments Bach flowers Brainwave Entrainment
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Ibuprofen Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Trazodone Zolpidem Quetiapine
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, insomnia, fatigue, and pain) 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
42
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (27) Depressed mood (23)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
41
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (40) Anxious mood (2)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
35
Tried for
Anxious mood (33) Insomnia (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
34
Tried for
Depressed mood (20) obsessive-compulsive disorder (18)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
26
Tried for
Anxious mood (13) Depressed mood (10)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
24
Tried for
Pain (18) Anxious mood (6)
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
24
Tried for
Anxious mood (21) Insomnia (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Luvox)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
22
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (22) Depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Desyrel)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
19
Tried for
Insomnia (19) Anxious mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
18
Tried for
Insomnia (11) Pain (10)
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 (15 evaluations)
Side effects
Decreased appetite Nervousness 12 more
Total evaluations
28
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (27) Depressed mood (23)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (18 evaluations)
Side effects
Depressed mood Dissociation 5 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (40) Anxious mood (2)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Perceived effectiveness
for Anxious mood (19 evaluations)
Side effects
Drowsiness Addiction 11 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
Anxious mood (33) Insomnia (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for Depressed mood (12 evaluations)
Side effects
Agitation Apathy 14 more
Total evaluations
23
Tried for
Depressed mood (20) obsessive-compulsive disorder (18)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for Anxious mood (9 evaluations)
Side effects
Anxious mood Decreased sex drive (libido) 16 more
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
Anxious mood (13) Depressed mood (10)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (7 evaluations)
Side effects
Burning sensation in mouth Excessive appetite 3 more
Total evaluations
11
Tried for
Pain (18) Anxious mood (6)
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Perceived effectiveness
for Anxious mood (13 evaluations)
Side effects
Dry mouth Tiredness
Total evaluations
16
Tried for
Anxious mood (21) Insomnia (3)
Treatment name(s)

(Luvox)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (10 evaluations)
Side effects
Decreased sex drive (libido) Weight gain 11 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (22) Depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Desyrel)
Perceived effectiveness
for Insomnia (14 evaluations)
Side effects
Drowsiness Dry mouth 6 more
Total evaluations
14
Tried for
Insomnia (19) Anxious mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Perceived effectiveness
for Insomnia (8 evaluations)
Side effects
Dry mouth Rapid weight gain 10 more
Total evaluations
15
Tried for
Insomnia (11) Pain (10)
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 52
20s 721
30s 1,150
40s 1,114
50s 751
60s 298
70+ 71
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 1,155
20-29 years 298
30-39 years 150
40-49 years 69
50-59 years 13
60-69 years 3
70+ years 1

Sex

Distribution of sex

77% Female
23% Male
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2,130
Not Diagnosed 1,802
These charts show data from OCD patients who have completed their condition history
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