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
40
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (25) depressed mood (23)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
35
Tried for
anxious mood (33) obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
34
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (34) anxious mood (2)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
33
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (20) depressed mood (17)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
28
Tried for
anxious mood (13) depressed mood (13)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
26
Tried for
depressed mood (17) obsessive-compulsive disorder (7)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
23
Tried for
anxious mood (22) depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Luvox)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
20
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (20) depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
20
Tried for
pain (13) anxious mood (6)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
18
Tried for
depressed mood (13) obsessive-compulsive disorder (6)
2 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 (17 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased appetite decreased sex drive (libido) 13 more
Total evaluations
30
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (25) depressed mood (23)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Klonopin)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (19 evaluations)
Side effects
bipolar depressive episodes crying 8 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
anxious mood (33) obsessive-compulsive disorder (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (21 evaluations)
Side effects
depressed mood dissociation 6 more
Total evaluations
26
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (34) anxious mood (2)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for obsessive-compulsive disorder (10 evaluations)
Side effects
difficulty with orgasm apathy 13 more
Total evaluations
24
Tried for
obsessive-compulsive disorder (20) depressed mood (17)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (8 evaluations)
Side effects
anxious mood apathy 16 more
Total evaluations
17
Tried for
anxious mood (13) depressed 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 (17) obsessive-compulsive disorder (7)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Vistaril)
Perceived effectiveness
for anxious mood (13 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness dry mouth 2 more
Total evaluations
14
Tried for
anxious mood (22) depressed mood (1)
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 (20) depressed mood (5)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (5 evaluations)
Side effects
excessive appetite hypomania
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
pain (13) anxious mood (6)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (10 evaluations)
Side effects
blurry vision dizziness 30 more
Total evaluations
14
Tried for
depressed mood (13) obsessive-compulsive disorder (6)
2 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 703
30s 1271
40s 1163
50s 828
60s 371
70+ 95
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 1201
20-29 years 313
30-39 years 153
40-49 years 74
50-59 years 13
60-69 years 4
70+ years 1

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1002
Female 3488
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2325
Not Diagnosed 1809
These charts show data from OCD patients who have completed their condition history
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