What is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) affects millions of people worldwide from all walks of life. People with OCD experience unwanted intrusive thoughts, obsessions and compulsions that can lead to uncontrolled, physical and mental, repetitive behaviors. While the behaviors - some of which are visible actions and others are mental images, urges or thoughts - may temporarily relieve the person's anxiety or distress, the disorder is chronic and the cycle repeats itself. OCD can be debilitating and disrupt daily aspects of one's life and functioning.

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) provides statistics and useful information on OCD, which can start any time from preschool to adulthood. Often, children and teens with the disorder, unlike adults, may not recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are excessive. According to the IOCDF:

• Approximately 2% of the global population suffers from OCD
• In the United States, OCD affects about 2.2 million adults
• About 1 in 100 adults in the US have OCD
• About 1 in 200 children and teens in the US suffer from the disorder

Many people with OCD recognize that their obsessions and compulsions are not rational, but they still feel a strong need to perform the repetitive behavior or mental compulsions. They may spend several hours every day focusing on their obsessions, performing seemingly senseless rituals.

If left untreated, OCD can interfere with a person’s normal routine, schoolwork, job, family, or social activities. Proper treatment can help sufferers regain control over the illness and feel relief from the symptoms.     

• Parents: Visit this page to learn about behaviors that could be OCD symptoms.
• Download brochures.
• Learn about related disorders: trichotillomania and Tourette syndrome.
• Screen yourself or a loved one for OCD. 

ADAA Blogs:

• White Knuckling: All Pain, No Gain
• Residential Treatment for Youth with OCD: Answers to Your Top 3 Questions
• Is it OCD or Social Anxiety? Or is it Both?
• Busting Myths that Keep Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts Stuck
• When Reassurance Seeking Becomes Compulsive 
• Why Do You Have OCD? Because What Your Resist Persists 
• Protecting Yourself Against COVID-19 Doesn't Cause OCD
• Why Can't I Stop These Horrible Thoughts? 
• Relationship OCD 
• Questioning Whether You Have OCD When You Have OCD 
• How to Take the Power Back from Intrusive Thought OCD 
• Missing your OCD? 
• Why is my OCD Worse On Vacation? 

ADAA Webinars:

• Calming the Inner Chatter of Your Mind
• Does Your Child Have Anxiety or OCD?
• A Roadmap for OCD Treatment Options
• Mindfulness CBT to Move Past Intrusive Thought OCD
• Stop the Worry Cycle
• What are Intrusive Thoughts and How Can You Deal with Them?

• When Things Go Bump in Your Head: How to Master OCD with Unwanted Violent Thoughts 
• OCD and Sibling Relationships: How to Cope When Your Brother or Sister Has OCD 
• Pedophiles, Rapists and Murderers...Oh My: How to Disengage from Harm OCD & Re-engage in Your Life 
• Helping Kids and Teens Who Have OCD 

ADAA & International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) Partnership Video Series:

• What OCD Is and Is Not
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) vs Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
• Living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)