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 Alprazolam Lorazepam
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 Bupropion
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
Tramadol Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Ibuprofen
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
39
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (25) depressed mood (21)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
38
Tried for
depressed mood (23) obsessive-compulsive disorder (21)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
36
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (35) anxious mood (2)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
35
Tried for
anxious mood (34) obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
27
Tried for
depressed mood (14) anxious mood (13)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
25
Tried for
depressed mood (15) obsessive-compulsive disorder (7)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
25
Tried for
anxious mood (24) depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

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

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
21
Tried for
pain (16) anxious mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
17
Tried for
depressed mood (13) obsessive-compulsive disorder (5)
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 (18 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased appetite nervousness 13 more
Total evaluations
30
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (25) depressed mood (21)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (14 evaluations)
Side effects
suicidal ideation weight gain 13 more
Total evaluations
28
Tried for
depressed mood (23) obsessive-compulsive disorder (21)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (17 evaluations)
Side effects
depressed mood dissociation 5 more
Total evaluations
23
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (35) anxious mood (2)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (19 evaluations)
Side effects
bipolar depressive episodes crying 11 more
Total evaluations
20
Tried for
anxious mood (34) obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (9 evaluations)
Side effects
anxious mood apathy 16 more
Total evaluations
16
Tried for
depressed mood (14) anxious mood (13)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (12 evaluations)
Side effects
bipolar I disorder decreased appetite 3 more
Total evaluations
14
Tried for
depressed mood (15) obsessive-compulsive disorder (7)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (16 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness dry mouth 2 more
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
anxious mood (24) depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Luvox)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (9 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased sex drive (libido) weight gain 7 more
Total evaluations
9
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (22) depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (7 evaluations)
Side effects
burning sensation in mouth excessive appetite 2 more
Total evaluations
10
Tried for
pain (16) anxious mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (9 evaluations)
Side effects
blurry vision dizziness 31 more
Total evaluations
13
Tried for
depressed mood (13) obsessive-compulsive disorder (5)
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 725
30s 1,234
40s 1,160
50s 800
60s 332
70+ 87
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 1,177
20-29 years 306
30-39 years 152
40-49 years 72
50-59 years 13
60-69 years 4
70+ years 1

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 978
Female 3,418
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2,272
Not Diagnosed 1,807
These charts show data from OCD patients who have completed their condition history
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