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.

How do members experience obsessive-compulsive disorder?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder*

*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.

Top treatments taken by people for obsessive-compulsive disorder*

*Data from patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with obsessive-compulsive disorder*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Luvox)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (2 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (9)
Treatment

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (5)
Treatment

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (2 evaluations)
Side effects
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (4)
Treatment

(Anafranil)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)

*Data from patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has obsessive-compulsive disorder on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 38
20s 435
30s 1,238
40s 1,297
50s 1,141
60s 640
70+ 241

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,126
Female 3,877