obsessive compulsive disorder health education

• Patient Care & Health Information
• Diseases & Conditions
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Steps to help diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder may include:

• Psychological evaluation. This includes talking about your thoughts, feelings, symptoms and behavior patterns to find out if you have obsessions or compulsive behaviors that get in the way of your quality of life. With your permission, this may include talking to your family or friends.
• Physical exam. This may be done to rule out other issues that could cause your symptoms and check for any related complications.

Diagnostic challenges

It's sometimes hard to diagnose OCD because symptoms can be like those of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia or other mental health disorders. And it's possible to have OCD and another mental health disorder. Work with your doctor so that you can get the right diagnosis and treatment.

• Care at Mayo Clinic

Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)-related health concerns Start Here

Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment may not result in a cure. But it can help bring symptoms under control so that they don't rule your daily life. Depending on how serious your OCD is, you may need long-term, ongoing or more-intensive treatment.

The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medicines. Psychotherapy also is known as talk therapy. Often, a mix of both treatments is most effective.

• Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of psychotherapy, is effective for many people with OCD . Exposure and response prevention (ERP), a part of CBT therapy, involves exposing you over time to a feared object or obsession, such as dirt. Then you learn ways not to do your compulsive rituals. ERP takes effort and practice, but you may enjoy a better quality of life once you learn to manage your obsessions and compulsions.

Certain psychiatric medicines can help control the obsessions and compulsions of OCD . Most commonly, antidepressants are tried first.

Antidepressants approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat OCD include:

• Fluoxetine (Prozac) for adults and children 7 years and older.
• Fluvoxamine (Luvox) for adults and children 8 years and older.
• Paroxetine (Paxil) for adults only.
• Sertraline (Zoloft) for adults and children 6 years and older.
• Clomipramine (Anafranil) for adults and children 10 years and older.

However, your doctor may prescribe other antidepressants and psychiatric medicines.

Medicines: What to consider

When talking with your doctor about medicines for OCD , consider:

• Medicine selection. In general, the goal is to effectively control symptoms at the lowest possible dose. OCD may sometimes require higher doses of medicines to be the most effective in controlling your symptoms. It's not unusual to try several drugs before finding one that works well. Your doctor might recommend more than one medicine to effectively manage your symptoms. It can take weeks to months to get better after starting a medicine for your symptoms.
• Side effects. All psychiatric medicines may have side effects. Talk to your doctor about possible side effects and about any health monitoring needed while taking psychiatric drugs. And let your doctor know if you have troubling side effects.
• Suicide risk. Most antidepressants are generally safe, but the FDA requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings. These are the strictest warnings for prescriptions. In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants. This is especially true in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed. If suicidal thoughts occur, contact your doctor or get emergency help at once. Keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to lower suicide risk in the long run by making your mood better.
• Interactions with other substances. When taking an antidepressant, tell your doctor about any other prescription medicines available without a prescription, herbs or other supplements you take. Some antidepressants can make some other medicines less effective and cause dangerous reactions when combined with certain medicines or herbal supplements.
• Stopping antidepressants. Antidepressants aren't thought to be addictive, but sometimes physical dependence can occur. Stopping treatment suddenly or missing several doses can cause withdrawal-like symptoms. This is sometimes called discontinuation syndrome. Don't stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor, even if you're feeling better. You may have a relapse of OCD symptoms. Work with your doctor to lower your dose safely over time.

Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using specific medicines.

Other treatment

Sometimes, psychotherapy and medicines can't control OCD symptoms. In cases that don't respond to treatment, other options may be offered:

• Intensive outpatient and residential treatment programs. Full treatment programs that stress ERP therapy principles may help people with OCD who struggle with being able to function because of how serious their symptoms are. These programs usually last several weeks.
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS). The FDA has approved DBS to treat OCD in adults ages 18 years and older who don't respond to traditional treatment. DBS involves implanting electrodes within certain areas of your brain. These electrodes produce electrical impulses that may help control impulses that aren't typical. DBS isn't widely available, and it is rarely used.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The FDA has approved three TMS devices — BrainsWay, MagVenture and NeuroStar — to treat OCD in adults. These devices are used when traditional treatment hasn't been effective. TMS doesn't require surgery. It uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to make symptoms of OCD better. During a TMS session, an electromagnetic coil is placed against your scalp near your forehead. The coil delivers a magnetic pulse that stimulates nerve cells in your brain.

If you're thinking about DBS or TMS , talk with your doctor to make sure you understand all the pros and cons and possible health risks.

More Information

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) care at Mayo Clinic

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Deep brain stimulation
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation

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Lifestyle and home remedies

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a chronic condition, which means that it may always be part of your life. While a professional should treat OCD , you can do some things to build on your treatment plan:

• Practice what you learn. Work with your mental health professional to pinpoint methods to help manage symptoms. Practice these methods regularly.
• Take your medicines as directed. Even if you're feeling well, don't skip your medicines. If you stop, OCD symptoms are likely to return.
• Pay attention to warning signs. You and your doctor may have pinpointed issues that can cause your OCD symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel.
• Check first before taking other medicines. Contact the doctor who's treating you for OCD before you take medicines prescribed by another doctor or before taking any medicines available without a prescription, vitamins, herbal remedies or other supplements. This will help reduce possible interactions.

Coping and support

Coping with obsessive-compulsive disorder can be challenging. Medicines can have unwanted side effects, and you may feel embarrassed or angry about having a condition that requires long-term treatment.

Here are some ways to help cope with OCD :

• Learn about OCD . Learning about your condition can help you stick to your treatment plan.
• Stay focused on your goals. Keep your recovery goals in mind, and remember that recovery from OCD is an ongoing process.
• Join a support group. Reaching out to others facing similar challenges can provide you with support and help you cope with challenges.
• Find healthy outlets. Explore healthy ways to channel your energy, such as hobbies and recreational activities. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet and get adequate sleep.
• Learn relaxation and stress management. In addition to professional treatment, stress management methods such as meditation, visualization, muscle relaxation, massage, deep breathing, yoga or tai chi may ease stress and anxiety.
• Stick with your regular activities. Try not to avoid meaningful activities. Go to work or school as you usually would. Spend time with family and friends. Don't let OCD get in the way of your life.

Preparing for your appointment

You may start by seeing your primary care team. Because obsessive-compulsive disorder often requires specialized care, you may need to see a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment, think about your needs and goals for treatment. Make a list of:

• Any symptoms you've noticed, including the types of obsessions and compulsions you've had and things that you may be staying away from or no longer doing because of your distress.
• Key personal information, including any major stresses, recent life changes and family members with similar symptoms.
• All medicines, vitamins, herbal remedies or other supplements, as well as the doses.
• Questions to ask your doctor or therapist.

Questions to ask might include:

• Do you think I have OCD ?
• How do you treat OCD ?
• How can treatment help me?
• Are there medicines that might help?
• Will exposure and response prevention therapy help?
• How long will treatment take?
• What can I do to help myself?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have?
• Can you recommend any websites?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you some questions, such as:

• Do certain thoughts go through your mind over and over despite trying to ignore them?
• Do you have to have things arranged in a certain way?
• Do you have to wash your hands, count things, or check things over and over?
• When did your symptoms start?
• Have symptoms been continuous or once in a while?
• What, if anything, seems to improve the symptoms?
• What, if anything, appears to make the symptoms worse?
• How do the symptoms affect your daily life? Do you stay away from anything because of your symptoms?
• In a typical day, how much time do you spend on obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors?
• Have any of your relatives had a mental health disorder?
• Have you had any trauma or major stress?

Your doctor or mental health professional will ask more questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing for questions like these will help you make the most of your appointment time.

• Kara PJ, et al. Deep brain stimulation for obsessive compulsive disorder: Evolution of surgical stimulation target parallels changing model of dysfunctional brain circuits. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2019; doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00998.
• Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. 2019.
• Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5-TR. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2022. https://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Blair Simpson H. Pharmacotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/search. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Blair Simpson H. Obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, course, and diagnosis. https://www.uptodate.com/search. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Abromowitz J. Psychotherapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/search. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Obsessive-compulsive-Disorder/Overview. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder-In-Children-And-Adolescents-060.aspx. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder: When unwanted thoughts or repetitive behaviors take over. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Mental health medications. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• AskMayoExpert. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Mayo Clinic; 2023.
• Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-and-related-disorders/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Woody EZ, et al. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): Current treatments and a framework for neurotherapeutic research. Advances in Pharmacology. 2019; doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2019.04.003.
• Cervin M. Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Diagnosis, clinical features, nosology and epidemiology. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed May 17, 2023.
• Sawchuk CN (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. June 23, 2023.

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Health Encyclopedia

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (ocd), what is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common anxiety disorder. It causes unreasonable thoughts, fears, or worries. A person with OCD tries to manage these thoughts through rituals.

Frequent disturbing thoughts or images are called obsessions. They are irrational and can cause great anxiety. Reasoning doesn’t help control the thoughts. Rituals or compulsions are actions that help stop or ease the obsessive thoughts.

What causes OCD?

Experts aren’t sure of the exact cause of OCD. Genetics, brain abnormalities, and the environment are thought to play a role. It often starts in the teens or early adulthood. But it can also start in childhood. OCD affects men and women equally. It appears to run in families.

Other anxiety problems, depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse may happen with OCD.

What are the symptoms of OCD?

Obsessions are unfounded thoughts, fears, or worries. They happen often and cause great anxiety. Reasoning does not help control the obsessions. Common obsessions are:

A strong fixation with dirt or germs

Repeated doubts (for instance, about having turned off the stove)

A need to have things in a very specific order

Thoughts about violence or hurting someone

Spending long periods of time touching things or counting

Fixation with order or symmetry

Persistent thoughts of awful or disturbing sex acts

Troubled by thoughts that are against personal religious beliefs

You may know that the thoughts are unreasonable and not due to real-life problems. But it’s not enough to make the unwanted thoughts go away.

Compulsions are repetitive, ritualized acts. They are meant to reduce anxiety caused by the obsession. Examples are:

Repeated handwashing (often 100+ times a day)

Checking and rechecking to make sure that a door is locked or that the oven is turned off, for example

Following extremely rigid rules of order, such as putting on clothes in the same order each day or alphabetizing the spices, and getting upset if the order becomes disrupted

Compulsive acts can become excessive, disruptive, and time-consuming. They may interfere with daily life and relationships.

People may stay away from situations where they might have to face their obsessions. Some try alcohol or drugs to calm themselves.

How is OCD diagnosed?

OCD is diagnosed during a physical and psychiatric exam when obsessions and compulsions:     

Take up at least 1 hour each day

Are distressing

Interfere with daily life

Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How is OCD treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Treatment may include:

Anti-anxiety or antidepressant medicines

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Taking your medicines as prescribed and keeping follow-up appointments will make symptom management more successful.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are having side effects from medicines. Or if you believe your current treatment approach isn't working. With your feedback, changes can be made in both medicine management and therapy approaches.

Key points about OCD

OCD is a common anxiety disorder. It causes irrational and obsessive thoughts, fears, or worries.

A person with OCD tries to manage these thoughts through rituals.

The rituals become consuming and interrupt daily life.

Stressful events may trigger the OCD episodes or make them worse.

You may or may not have insight into the irrational thoughts or behaviors.

Medicines and therapy can help reduce the time spent in the thought patterns or compulsive behaviors. Treatment is most successful when both are used.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.

Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.

Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Medical Reviewers:

• L Renee Watson MSN RN
• Marianne Fraser MSN RN
• Sabrina Felson MD
• Ask a Medical Librarian Make an Appointment Physicians & Services Physicians who treat Mental Health

IOCDF Training Institute

On average, it can take an individual with ocd up to 17 years from the onset of symptoms to receive a proper diagnosis and begin receiving effective treatment. the iocdf is committed to changing that statistic..

In 1995 we launched our flagship training opportunity for professionals; our Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) . In response to professionals asking for more opportunities to advance their skills, the IOCDF Training Institute has been created to offer a more comprehensive curriculum of professional training opportunities. These training offerings address a variety of specialties and issues pertaining to the OCD and related disorders community, while also providing continuing education credits to qualified professionals.

The Training Institute curriculum is formatted in the style of higher education course catalogs, ranging from the 100-level basic trainings and to the 400-level advanced trainings ( BTTI is now 200-level ). A brief description of each level and their associated course offerings can be found below.

Unsure which training is right for you?

Take the Clinician Self-Assessment to help figure out which level of the IOCDF Training Institute best fits your current level of knowledge and experience. The Clinician Self-Assessment will take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

Apply to be a Training Institute Faculty Member

The IOCDF is now accepting applications for new faculty members to teach in its Training Institute programs, including the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI), Online Consultation Groups, and the IOCDF Webinars.

Applicants should have a minimum of 7 years experience of at least half time treating individuals with OCD and/or related disorders in order to qualify. Applicants will be asked to submit information on various trainings they have taken on OCD and/or related disorders, as well as presentations and trainings they have given on these topics.

Applications will be reviewed by the IOCDF Training Institute Committee on a yearly basis.

Accepted faculty will receive honoraria for their participation in these programs.

Apply today!

100-Level (Introductory)

MGH Psychiatry Academy : View the current online courses offered through the MGH Psychiatry Academy on the MGH website.

IOCDF Education Vacation, The OCD Meeting: The Education Vacation is a great learning and training opportunity for clinicians of all types at all levels, from students/trainees to seasoned professionals. Fields that may benefit from the Education Vacation include therapists (psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, etc.), psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physicians (general practitioners, pediatricians, family medicine, etc.).

The OCD Meeting is most appropriate for students/trainees and clinicians in any field who are new to working with OCD and related disorders. The OCD Meeting will provide an overview of identification, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of OCD and related disorders to those who may not have had much experience in or exposure to these disorders. The curriculum will cover working with OCD and related disorders across the lifespan, with content for working with adults, pediatric populations, and their families.

On-Demand Webinars : The IOCDF's on-demand webinar program is getting an upgrade!  In 2023, we will be transitioning to a brand new learning management system (LMS) to streamline and elevate the e-learning experience for our community of OCD therapists and clinicians. In order to properly transition our suite of over 30 video webinars, our previous LMS (Echo360) has been shut down.

The IOCDF's webinar catalogue includes over 30 on-demand video lectures for professionals and student/trainees around the world who work with patients with OCD and related disorders — or who would like to learn to do so. This collection of video lectures aims to increase treatment knowledge in an easy-to-use and accessible format. Examples of 100-level webinars:

• Pharmacotherapy of OCD
• Hoarding 101
• Treating OCD in Culturally & Ethnically Diverse Populations
• Pregnancy and Postpartum OCD
• Treating Patients with Sexual Obsessions in OCD
• Applications of Inhibitory Learning in the Treatment of OCD

Learn more about on-demand webinars.

200-Level (Foundational)

Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) Courses:  These courses are for independently licensed clinicians who are familiar with OCD, but may be new to treating it following best practices. These courses seek to train clinicians in Exposure with Response Prevention (ERP), the gold standard treatment for OCD, as well as how treatment may vary for OCD-related disorders.

• General Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)
• Pediatric Behavior Therapy Training Institute (Pediatric BTTI)
• BTTI for Treating OCD in Communities of Color (BIPOC BTTI)
• BTTI Virtual en Español (Spanish-Language BTTI)

Click here for more information on the BTTI and to get added to the BTTI Interest List.

300-Level (Integrative)

The Integrative level of courses are for clinicians who are comfortable with diagnosing OCD and implementing ERP with their clients, but who may benefit from guidance around their severe, resistant, and/or ambivalent cases.  This level focuses on helping clinicians to synthesize their previous learning with their current practice via group consultation sessions with the world’s leading experts on OCD and related disorders.

300-Level course offerings include:

• 301 – Online Consultation Groups

Click here for more information on the online consultation groups and the registration process.

400-Level (Advanced)

The Advanced level of courses are for seasoned clinicians who are very competent with working with clients with OCD. Clinicians should have several years of experience in implementing ERP, and should feel comfortable working with complex cases. PLEASE NOTE: T hese courses are only open to those who have previously attended the 200-level general and/or Pediatric BTTI or similair level of intensive training. 

400-Level course offerings include:

• Advanced Training Forums (formerly known as “BTTI-2’s”).
• 401 – Treatment engagement, ambivalence, and resistance in OCD  (2015)
• 402 – Working with OCD-related disorders and co-occurring conditions  (2017)
• 403 - Promoting Treatment Engagement in OCD-Related Disorders (2018)

The Advanced Forum returns October 25 – 27, 2024 in Toronto, ON! Registration is open now!

• 404 — Flexibility Within Fidelity: Adapting Evidence-Based OCD Treatments to Client Factors

IOCDF Education Vacation: Master Clinician series: The Education Vacation is a great learning and training opportunity for clinicians of all types at all levels, from students/trainees to seasoned professionals. Fields that may benefit from the Education Vacation include therapists (psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, etc.), psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and physicians (general practitioners, pediatricians, family medicine, etc.).

Master Clinician Series: The Master Clinician series is most appropriate for clinicians in any field with many years of experience in working with OCD and related disorders. The Master Clinician series presupposes a comprehensive understanding of the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of OCD and related disorders, and will be geared towards experienced professionals who are seeking the latest in research updates and cutting-edge treatment innovations.

On-Demand Webinars: The IOCDF's on-demand webinar program is getting an upgrade!  In 2023, we will be transitioning to a brand new learning management system (LMS) to streamline and elevate the e-learning experience for our community of OCD therapists and clinicians. In order to properly transition our suite of over 30 video webinars, our previous LMS (Echo360) has been shut down.

IOCDF Webinars is a program for professionals and students/trainees around the world who work with patients with OCD and related disorders — or who would like to learn to do so. This collection of video lectures aims to increase treatment knowledge in an easy-to-use and accessible format. Example of 400-level webinars:

• OCD and Substance Use Disorders: Concurrent Treatment
• Integrating ERP and ACT
• Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms in Schizophrenia
• OCD and Co-occurring Anxiety Disorders: Conceptualization and Treatment
• Ten Things That Every OCD Therapist Should Know About Tic Disorders
• ComB Treatment of BFRBs
• Treating Patients Diagnosed with OCD and PTSD
• Treating Patients Diagnosed With OCD And Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder for Cosmetic Surgeons, Dermatologists, and Other Medical Professionals: Overview and Suggested Approach.
• Treating Patients Diagnosed with OCD and Personality Disorder
• Treating Patients Diagnosed with OCD and Eating Disorders
• The Treatment of Co-occurring OCD and Depression

Learn more about the on-demand webinars.

Apply to Become a IOCDF Training Institute Faculty

Applications will be reviewed by the IOCDF Training Institute Committee on a quarterly basis and applicants can expect to receive a response within 3-6 months. Accepted faculty will receive honoraria for their participation in these programs.

In This Section

• Professional Resources
• Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI)
• Online Consultation Groups
• Advanced Forum on OCD
• On-Demand Webinars
• Self-Assessment Test
• Professional Membership
• Resources for Students and Trainees
• Research Grant Program

More Resources

• Fact Sheets & Brochures
• Books About OCD
• From the Experts
• Educational Resources

Search iocdf.org

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Managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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Managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

If you have been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you may be relieved that you now know why you have felt or behaved a certain way. You may also feel overwhelmed about the treatment ahead, how to get the support you need, and how to deal with the condition day-to-day. With treatment and support, you can manage your OCD.

How to manage lifestyle changes

Managing stress

• Meditation, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises.
• Exercise. Even a short daily walk can help to lower stress levels.
• Getting enough high-quality sleep.
• Spending time on hobbies that you enjoy.
• Accepting and letting go of things that you cannot change.

To help you manage stress associated with OCD, your health care provider may recommend a type of behavior therapy called exposure and response prevention therapy. In this therapy, you will be exposed to the distressing situation that triggers your compulsion and be prevented from responding to it. With repetition of this process over time, you will no longer feel the distress or need to perform the compulsion.

• Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about all medicines that you take, their possible side effects, and which medicines are safe to take together.
• Make it your goal to take part in all treatment decisions ( shared decision-making ). Ask about possible side effects of medicines that your health care provider recommends, and tell him or her how you feel about having those side effects. It is best if shared decision-making with your health care provider is part of your total treatment plan.
• Avoid using alcohol and other substances that may prevent your medicines from working properly.

If you are taking medicines as part of your treatment, do not stop taking them before you ask your health care provider if it is safe to stop. You may need to have the medicine slowly decreased ( tapered ) over time to lower the risk of harmful side effects.

Relationships

Consider giving education materials to friends and family. Your family and friends may need to learn about your OCD in order for them to understand you and support you as you manage your condition. Family therapy may also help to lower stress and relieve tension.

How to recognize changes in your condition

• Being anxious about germs or dirt.
• Having harmful thoughts about yourself or others.
• Making sure that household objects are alike or perfectly organized in a specific way.
• Having great difficulty making decisions, or second-guessing yourself after making a decision.
• Constant cleaning and handwashing.
• Repeating behavior such as repeatedly checking to see if a door is locked or the oven is off.
• Counting nonstop or uncontrollably.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Check with your health care provider before starting any new prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

General instructions

• Ask for support from trusted family members or friends to make sure you stay on track with your treatment.
• Keep a journal to write down your daily moods, medicines, sleep habits, and life events. Doing this may help you have more success with your treatment.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Avoiding alcohol.
• Avoiding products that contain nicotine and tobacco.
• Exercising regularly.
• Getting plenty of sleep.
• Taking time to relax.
• Keep all follow-up visits. This includes visits with your health care provider and therapist. This is important.

Where to find support

Talking to others

• Start by sharing your experience with OCD. It is up to you how much detail you want to provide.
• Let your family and friends know that you are seeking treatment.
• Do not expect family and friends to understand your condition right away.

Not all insurance plans cover mental health care, so it is important to check with your insurance carrier. If paying for co-pays or counseling services is a problem, search for a local or county mental health care center. Public mental health care services may be offered there at a low cost or no cost when you are not able to see a private health care provider.

If you are taking medicine for depression, you may be able to get the generic form, which may be less expensive than brand-name medicine. Some makers of prescription medicines also offer help to people who cannot afford the medicines they need.

Questions to ask your health care provider

• How long do I need to take medicine?
• Are there any long-term side effects of my medicine?
• Are there any alternatives to taking medicine?
• How would I benefit from therapy?
• How often should I follow up with a health care provider?

Where to find more information

• International OCD Foundation: www.iocdf.org
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): www.nami.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): www.samhsa.gov

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your symptoms get worse or they do not get better with treatment.
• You develop new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe side effects after taking your medicine.
• You have thoughts about hurting yourself or others.
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or 988. This is open 24 hours a day.
• Text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
• Stress can play a major role in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Learning ways to manage stress may help your treatment work better for you.
• If you are taking medicines as part of your treatment, do not stop taking medicines before you ask your health care provider if it is safe to stop.
• When talking with family members and friends about your OCD, decide how much detail you want to give them and be patient as they work to understand your condition.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

O bsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive and frequent obsessions and repetitive and ritualistic behaviors.

Individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder can describe feeling driven to do things with an irresistible urge in order to relieve stress and feel better. For those with this condition, ignoring these urges is not easy, and if they can manage, the urge will come back again later. For those with a fear of being infected by germs, it can be common to adopt a handwashing ritual that results in chapped or sore skin, and the condition is often accompanied by shame or other feelings of embarrassment related to the symptoms of the condition.

OCD affects males and females equally, and affects approximately 2% of people at some point during their lives.

People can confuse being a perfectionist with having OCD, but OCD can be a debilitating condition that can impact work, relationships, or school and is very different to a quest for flawless results in a task.

COMPLICATIONS

Symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder:, ocd is experienced in obsessions and compulsions..

Obsessions – An obsession is a persistent and unwanted thought, image, or urge that enters the mind and triggers distress.

Common obsessions in OCD include:

• Fear of contamination – not engaging in normal activities like shaking hands for fear of contamination
• Fear of dirt
• Fear of harm occurring – being plagued with fear about forgetting to turn off a stove or lock a door before leaving home
• Excessive concern with exactness – objects not facing a particular direction nor set in an orderly or symmetrical fashion
• Beyond normal focus on the need for orderliness
• Anxiety related to unwelcome thoughts including anger, or sexual or religious content
• Anxiety related to unwelcome thoughts of hurting others or oneself
• Anxiety related to unwelcome thoughts about cursing in public or other inappropriate behavior

Compulsions –  A compulsion is recurrent behavior or mental act(s) carried out to provide relief brought on by the distress of obsessions.

Common compulsions include:

• Repeatedly checking stoves, windows, or doors
• Repeating acts
• Repeating words, prayers, or phrases
• Mental rituals
• Ordering or arranging things

Diagnosing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

A diagnosis of ocd is based on symptoms and is made after making sure nothing else is going on that might be causing it..

Tools like the Yale–Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and other criteria in the DSM-5 can be used to assess and rate the severity of the condition.

• Elimination of other problems that could contribute to symptoms, with a physical exam
• Bloodwork and urine lab work to assess thyroid function, and to determine if alcohol or drug use is a factor
• A psychological interview to evaluate the individual’s feelings, behaviors, symptoms, and thoughts

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Complications:

Ocd often interferes with day-to-day life and can cause considerable distress. the world health organization (who) has listed ocd in the top ten most disabling illnesses in the world. ocd can:.

• Prevent one from going to school or work and from socializing
• Place a tremendous amount of stress and strain on close relationships
• Cause health complications such as contact dermatitis from compulsive handwashing (out of fears of contamination)
• Lead to suicidal thoughts or behavior

Causes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

The cause of ocd remains unknown..

It is thought that OCD results from a combination of the following factors:

• Biological — such as a change in the chemistry of a person’s brain
• Psychosocial — adverse childhood or adult experiences such as sexual abuse
• Environment — such as infections

People who have a family history of OCD are at increased risk of developing this condition themselves.

• The presence of other mental health conditions or substance abuse
• Other close family members with OCD
• Traumatic or stressful situations

Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder:

With ocd being considered a lifelong condition, a cure may not be the result of treatment but of the individual coming to a place where their life is not ruled by the condition and the symptoms are under control..

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – is an effective form of treatment for many people with OCD.
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP) – a component of CBT, this involves gradually exposing the patient to a feared object or obsession and teaching strategies and techniques to cope with the elicited anxiety in a healthy and adaptive way.
• Other therapies including deep brain stimulation – for people who have had symptoms for about five years and are not responding well to other treatments.

For many people, finding the right medication can take quite some time since the doctor may want to try a variety before deciding which works best, and it can take weeks or months before actionable results are seen.

There are suicide risks with antidepressants, especially for individuals under 25, even though the medications are deemed safe by the FDA and prescribed by doctors.

• Deep Brain Stimulation – DBS has been seen to be an effective treatment in addressing severe tics that haven’t yet responded favorably to other treatment options. Through surgery, a battery-operated medical device is inserted in the brain, and it precisely delivers stimulation to specific areas in the brain that control functions like movement.

Evidence of OCD can typically begin to be seen in teenage or early adult years. Generally, symptoms have a gradual progression in their severity and can be more extreme in stressful times. The disorder is thought of as a lifelong condition and will either be mild, moderate, or severe.

Sources NIH – Deep Brain Stimulation | MEDTRONIC – Deep Brain Stimulation | MEDTRONIC – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder | OCDUK – OCD DSM Classification | PSYCHIATRY – What is OCD | MAYO CLINIC – Symptoms | HEALTHLINE – Risk Factors | PSYCHOLOGY TODAY – OCD Types

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What Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Peter Dazeley / Getty Images

Symptoms of OCD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by obsessions and compulsions that interfere with daily life.

OCD was formerly classified as an anxiety disorder because people affected by this mental illness often experience severe anxiety as a result of obsessive thoughts. They may also engage in extensive rituals in an attempt to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions.

In the newest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), OCD was moved to its own disorder class of "Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders." Related conditions in the class include body-dysmorphic disorder , hoarding disorder , and trichotillomania .

Symptoms of OCD usually appear gradually and can be long-lasting if not treated. People with OCD may experience symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Such symptoms interfere with many areas of life including school, work, relationships , and normal daily functioning.

Obsessions are thoughts, images, or ideas that won't go away , are unwanted, and are extremely distressing or worrying ("What if I become infected with a deadly disease?" or "What if I hurt someone?").

Some common symptoms of obsessions include:

• Distressing violent thoughts or images
• A need to have everything in a certain order
• Fear of germs
• Unwanted thoughts of forbidden or taboo topics such as sex or religion

Compulsions

Compulsions are behaviors that have to be done over and over again to relieve anxiety. Compulsions are often related to obsessions. For example, if you are obsessed with being contaminated, you might feel compelled to wash your hands repeatedly. However, this is not always the case.

Some common compulsions include:

• Counting things over and over again
• Excessive washing or cleaning
• Ordering things in a particular or symmetrical way
• Repeated checking (such as checking that the door is locked or that the oven is off)

It is important to be aware that not all habits or repetitive behaviors are synonymous with compulsions. Everyone has repeated thoughts or engages in double-checking things from time to time. In order to be diagnosed with OCD, their experience is characterized by:

• An inability to control their thoughts or behaviors, even when they recognize that they are excessive or irrational
• Spending an hour or more a day on these obsessions and compulsions
• Experiencing significant distress or problems and disruptions in daily life because of these thoughts and behaviors

OCD is a relatively common disorder that by some estimates about 2.3% of people over their lifetime. It is experienced equally by men and women and affects all races and cultures.

OCD usually begins around late adolescence/young adulthood, although young children and teenagers can also be affected. Parents and teachers often miss OCD in young children and teenagers, as they may go to great lengths to hide their symptoms.

The exact causes of OCD are not known, but there are a few factors that are believed to play a role.

• Biological factors : Abnormal neural circuits in the brain are associated with OCD. If you have OCD, certain parts of your brain may have difficulty inhibiting and "turning off" obsessive thoughts and impulses to turn off. As a result, you may experience obsessions and/or compulsions. The breakdown of this system may be related to serotonin and other neurotransmitter abnormalities.​
• Family history : You may also be at greater risk if there is a family history of the disorder. Research has shown that if you, a parent, or a sibling have OCD, there is about a 25% chance that another first-degree family member will also have it.
• Genetics : Although a single "OCD gene" has not been identified, OCD may be related to particular groups of genes.
• Stress : Stress of all types including unemployment, relationship difficulties, problems at school, illness, or childbirth can be triggers for symptoms of OCD.

People who are vulnerable to OCD describe a strong need to control their thoughts and may believe that their obsessive thoughts mean they are going crazy or will lose control. While many people can have recurrent, strange or unusual thoughts when feeling stressed, if you are vulnerable to OCD, it may be difficult to ignore or forget about these thoughts. In fact, because these thoughts seem so dangerous, you end up paying even more attention to them, which sets up a vicious cycle.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder can present in a few different ways. Some people experience only obsessions, more commonly people experience both obsessions and compulsions, even if the compulsive behavior is only mental. There are no official subtypes of OCD, but research suggests that the most common obsessions and compulsions tend to center on certain themes:

• Cleanliness or fear of contamination
• A need for order, symmetry, or perfection
• Taboo or forbidden thoughts
• Potential harm to oneself or others

Parents should also be aware of a subtype of OCD in children triggered by certain infections such as strep throat, in which the child's own immune system attacks the brain. Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders (PANDAS) associated with streptococcal infections by some estimates may account for up to 25% of the children who have OCD.

Unlike normal OCD, which develops slowly, in contrast to other forms of OCD, PANDAS OCD develops quickly and has a variety of other symptoms associated with it.

Treatments for OCD may include medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.

There are a variety of medications that are effective in reducing the frequency and severity of OCD symptoms. Many of the medications that are effective in treating OCD, such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Paxil (paroxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Anafranil (clomipramine), and Luvox (fluvoxamine) affect levels of serotonin . Additional types of medications that affect other neurotransmitters in the brain may also be used.

Psychotherapy

Psychological therapies are also highly effective treatments for reducing the frequency and intensity of OCD symptoms. Effective psychological treatments for OCD emphasize changes in behavior and/or thoughts.

When appropriate, psychotherapy can be done alone or combined with medication. The two main types of psychological therapies for OCD are cognitive behaviorial therapy (CBT) and exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy .

OCD can be a chronic, long-lasting condition that may worsen with time, so it is important to get professional treatment. In addition to talking to your doctor or mental health professional, there are also a number of self-help strategies that you can use to help manage your symptoms:

• Practice good self-care strategies that will help you cope with stress. Stress can often trigger OCD symptoms, so it is important to rely on effective and healthy coping methods. Research has shown that sleep disturbances are linked to more severe OCD symptoms. In addition to sleep, regular physical exercise and a healthy diet are lifestyle choices you can make that will make it easier to manage the stress and worries that life throws at you.
• Try relaxation techniques . Add some effective tools such as meditation, deep breathing, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation to your relaxation rituals.
• Find support . Consider joining a support group such as those found on the International OCD Foundation's online support group website. Such groups can be helpful to talk to people who have had the same experiences as you. Social support is important for mental well-being, and support groups can be a helpful resource.

If you or a loved one are struggling with OCD, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database .

National Institute of Mental Health. Obsessive compulsive disorder .

National Institute of Mental Health. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) .

Sinopoli VM, Burton CL, Kronenberg S, Arnold PD. A review of the role of serotonin system genes in obsessive-compulsive disorder .  Neurosci Biobehav Rev . 2017;80:372‐381. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.05.029

Hanna GL, Himle JA, Curtis GC, Gillespie BW. A family study of obsessive-compulsive disorder with pediatric probands . Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet . 2005;134B(1):13-9. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30138

Leckman JF, Bloch MH, King RA. Symptom dimensions and subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A developmental perspective .  Dialogues Clin Neurosci . 2009;11(1):21‐33.

Paterson JL, Reynolds AC, Ferguson SA, Dawson D. Sleep and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) . Sleep Med Rev . 2013;17(6):465-74. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2012.12.002

American Psychiatric Association.  Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.  5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013.

Pauls DL. The genetics of obsessive compulsive disorder: A review of the evidence . Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2008;138C(2):133-139. doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.30168

Rachman S. Obsessions, responsibility and guilt . Behav Res Ther . 1993;31(2):149-54. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(93)90066-4

Saxena S, Rauch S. Functional neuroimaging and the neuroanatomy of obsessive-compulsive disorder . Psychiatr Clin North Am . 2000;23(3):563-86. doi:10.1016/s0193-953x(05)70181-7

By Owen Kelly, PhD Owen Kelly, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, professor, and author in Ontario, ON, who specializes in anxiety and mood disorders.

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Hope Starts With Us: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

October 18, 2023

• Featured Guest
• About the Guest Host

Following OCD Awareness Week, guest host Barb Solish (NAMI national director of innovation) talks to Liz Norton (NAMI director of business analysis) about Liz’s experience with obsessive compulsive disorder.

You can find additional episodes of this NAMI podcast and others at nami.org/podcast .

We hope this podcast encourages you, inspires you, helps you and brings you further into the collective to know: you are not alone.

Episodes will air every other Wednesday and will be available on most major directories and apps.

Episode Audio:

Featured guest:.

Liz Norton is NAMI’s Director of Business Analysis, as well as a NAMI program leader and trainer. Liz first got involved with NAMI by attending a NAMI Family-to-Family class and the rest, as they say, is history. Liz has worked at NAMI for 11 years, is certified to lead NAMI Family-to-Family, NAMI Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Ending the Silence, and NAMI In Our Own Voice, and serves a state and national trainer for NAMI Peer-to-Peer.Liz has dealt with OCD since the age of 13, when she first started showing symptoms. Liz enjoys sharing the experiences and challenges that come with a mental health condition with others. “I’ve learned a lot from having a mental health condition, from my friends and family having mental health conditions. If sharing what I’ve learned can make someone’s life easier, then I’m gonna do whatever I can to help.”When not working or volunteering at NAMI, Liz enjoys tending her garden, hanging out with her dog Leia, spending time with her friends and family, and the Great British Bake-Off.

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About the Guest Host:

Barb Solish

Barb Solish is the National Director in NAMI’s Office of Innovation.

She is passionate about mental health awareness, education, and advocacy, especially after the loss of a friend to suicide. Barb’s lived experience developing a mental health condition as a young person also motivates her work improving outcomes for young people with mental health concerns. Previously, Barb led NAMI’s youth and young adult initiatives team, developing new resources for kids, teens, young adults, educators, and caregivers. She also led the creation of new initiatives, including the virtual version of the NAMI Ending the Silence presentation program for middle school students and NAMI Next Gen, NAMI’s young adult advisory group.

In addition to youth and young adult work, Barb oversees NAMI’s workplace mental health initiatives, including the StigmaFree partnerships program. Barb believes strongly that not only is creating a mentally healthy workplace the right thing to do, it’s an economic imperative.

Prior to joining NAMI, Barb worked with organizations, executives, legislators, and political candidates to hone their strategic messaging. Barb served as the Communications Director and Deputy Manager on former Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s first-term campaign, as a strategic communications manager for Los Angeles’ winning bid for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, and as an advisor to over a dozen congressional candidates at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterised by anxiety-provoking thoughts (‘obsessions’), and repetitive or ritual behaviours (‘compulsions’). Find out more about this condition, what help is available and how you can support your child.

Living with OCD can be exhausting for a child or young person, and for you as their parent or carer. It’s so upsetting to see your child distressed, and it might feel at times like you don’t know how to help them.

But getting a diagnosis and having treatment that’s been shown to work can make things so much better. Over time, it is possible for your child to come out the other side and feel okay again.

Here we outline how you can find and access the right help, and how you can make your child feel supported at home.

What is OCD?

OCD is an anxiety-related mental health condition.

Young people with OCD experience anxiety-provoking thoughts, called ‘obsessions’. They also carry out certain behaviours, called ‘compulsions’, to try to cope with these thoughts.

While we all have negative or unwanted thoughts sometimes, a young person with OCD often feels unable to put their thoughts down or move on from them.

Obsessions are unwelcome or intrusive thoughts, worries, feelings, images, urges or doubts. Everyone’s obsessions are different, but they can include:

• worrying about something bad happening, like their home burning down or someone they love dying
• worrying that they are going to harm someone else, or have already harmed someone else
• worrying about becoming contaminated – for example with germs, viruses, infections, dirt or dangerous chemicals
• intrusive sexual thoughts or images
• intrusive violent thoughts or images
• having a general feeling or sense that something is wrong, or that something bad is going to happen

Compulsions are behaviours or actions that someone with OCD feels they have to do when an obsession starts. They may do compulsions to try to:

• reduce their anxiety
• ‘get rid’ of distressing thoughts
• ‘stop’ something bad from happening
• become certain about something they are doubting

Compulsions are different for everyone, but they can include:

• checking things – for example that they have locked windows and doors, or turned switches off
• checking memories – for example to check that they didn’t harm someone in the past
• asking other people for reassurance – for example asking people to tell them that something bad hasn’t happened
• repetitively cleaning or washing – this may be their own body or objects
• having endless internal arguments about whether they have done something bad
• counting or repeating phrases
• arranging objects in specific patterns
• avoiding situations, people, places or activities that trigger upsetting thoughts

OCD rituals can be very hard to deal with on a practical level as well as an emotional one. My son spent so long showering that he was late for school every single morning. Whenever we tried to hurry or interrupt him we just made things worse as he became more anxious and had to start the rituals again. However frustrating your child’s compulsions might be, try to remember they are born out of anxiety and distress, not choice.

Carrying out compulsions can bring short-term relief, and it might feel in the moment like they are helping. But any relief is always short lived. Then the anxiety comes back and the person feels like they have to do the compulsions again.

This can create a cycle of obsessions and compulsions that can really affect day-to-day life. Obsessions and compulsions can take up lots of time and cause lots of anxiety or distress. They can make it hard to do important things, like sleeping, studying and socialising with friends and family. They might make a young person feel scared, disgusted or ashamed about their thoughts and behaviour. Or like their mind is full of horrible things they cannot control.

Myths you might hear about OCD

There are still lots of myths about OCD, and saying someone is ‘being OCD’ is still a common joke about being neat or tidy. Some myths you might hear include:

• ‘everyone’s a little bit OCD’
• it’s just about wanting to be organised
• it’s just about wanting to be clean, or always washing your hands
• it’s because you’re fussy
• you can just 'snap out of it’
• it’s a personality trait that ‘neat’ people have

It’s important to understand that these things are not true. OCD is a mental health condition, and it causes intense anxiety and distress. These myths can create misunderstanding and stigma, making it harder for people to be open and get help.

A parent's experience

My daughter’s OCD was really hard to understand. It started with getting ready. She would repeat the same things (putting on make-up, brushing her hair) again and again until she thought they were perfect. Generally they weren’t perfect and she would have to start again, becoming more and more distressed each time. Nothing we said made any difference. People told me it was a teenage thing and she would grow out of it, but the rituals became longer and more involved, and she started getting up at 5am to fit it all in before leaving for school. One day she was having a health check and the doctor asked about her morning routine. He immediately recognised OCD and referred her for support.

OCD is not just about cleaning or hand-washing (although for some people it is). It can affect eating, getting dressed, or leaving the house. It’s different from the routines that other people have because with OCD, if the person can’t perform the routine it causes them intense anxiety. My daughter told me that when she can’t fulfil her OCD routines it makes her feel like she’s going to die.

How is OCD treated?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provides guidelines for NHS treatments. They recommend that people experiencing OCD symptoms should have:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• medication in some circumstances, and more commonly if they are 18 or older

CBT is a specific type of therapy, and it is different to more general forms of counselling or talking therapy. CBT is recommended because OCD is a specific condition that usually needs specialist treatment to get better.

CBT is a type of talking therapy that focuses on changing the way we think and behave. Over time, a CBT therapist can help your child to develop a different relationship with their thoughts and how they feel about them. They can also support them to try out new ways of responding or behaving when they’re experiencing obsessions.

NICE recommends that CBT therapy for OCD should include Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) techniques. ERP involves purposefully letting obsessive thoughts come up without using compulsions to deal with them. This can help your child to realise that they can manage the anxiety without compulsions.

If your child is under 18, NICE recommends that you, or their other parent or carer, should be involved in the CBT so that you can support them with the techniques at home.

Your child may have online, in-person, group or individual CBT. NICE guidelines state that they should have a choice about which they would feel most comfortable with.

If your child is 18 or older, they may be offered medication alongside CBT. This will depend on the severity of the symptoms they are experiencing.

If your child is under 18, they will usually only be offered medication if they feel unable to do CBT. Medication should only be offered if there are arrangements for a doctor to check its effects.

If your child is developing routines and rituals and you suspect it may be OCD, get a diagnosis as early as possible and ask for a referral to specialist OCD support. Routines can become entrenched very quickly. However, there is treatment and support which can really help.

Accessing treatment for OCD

1. making an appointment with a gp.

The first place to start is to make an appointment with a GP.

This might feel like a difficult step for your child if they’re feeling ashamed about their thoughts and behaviour. Reassure them that things can get better if they take this step.

If you’re going to the GP appointment, make a list of the things you want to tell the doctor. Try to include examples of the thoughts or behaviours you have noticed. The more honest and specific you and your child can be, the easier it will be to get the right help.

OCD-UK has a helpful form that your child can use during the appointment. This covers what they’re experiencing, the impact it’s having on them and the support they’d like to receive.

Find out more about getting support from the GP in our guide, including tips for if your child doesn’t want to see a GP.

2. Getting specialist treatment through the NHS

At first, the GP will usually refer your child or young person to their local NHS mental health service for treatment. You can ask this service to provide a professional who has experience treating OCD. This might not be possible in all areas, but it’s still worth asking. If the service does not offer the recommended treatment, it’s also okay to ask for the treatment outlined in the NICE guidelines .

If things do not get better after this, NICE states that people should then be offered treatment at a specialist NHS clinic . You can ask for a referral to one of these.

• The GP will refer your child to your local NHS mental health service for children and young people, called CAMHS or CYPMHS .
• CAMHS will do an assessment and provide treatment.
• Each CAMHS is a local service run by a local team in your area. This means that waiting times vary around the country.
• Some CAMHS do not need a GP referral. They may accept a referral from your child, from you, or from another professional such as a teacher, youth worker or social worker. Go to your local CAMHS website or call them to find out how referrals work where you live. If you can’t find their contact details, get them from your GP surgery.
• The GP will refer your young person to your local NHS adult mental health service.
• This service will do an assessment and provide treatment.
• Depending on the severity of what your child is experiencing, the GP may also discuss medication options. Medication should usually be offered alongside CBT rather than by itself.
• Adults in many areas of England can also refer themselves directly to a local NHS service for CBT. Find your local NHS Talking Therapies service .
• If your child lives in another part of the UK, they may still be able to self-refer to their local service. Ask your GP or another professional if this is possible in your area.

3. Accessing private support

If it’s an affordable option, you might be thinking of accessing private support. This might be so that your child doesn’t have to wait for NHS treatment, or so they can get some help while they’re on the waiting list for NHS treatment.

If your child would like to try CBT privately, you can find accredited CBT therapists through BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) . It’s important to make sure they find a therapist who has experience supporting people with OCD.

A qualified therapist thought they could treat it with just talking therapy. I noticed this made my daughter much more distressed and overwhelmed. So I had to keep looking for someone who was qualified to assess it fully – an adolescent psychiatrist. They diagnosed it as severe at the highest level, and recommended a treatment plan with a qualified CBT person and medication. They also recommended understanding and psychoeducation for the carers and parents to reduce anxiety in the home environment. The OCD improved and went.

Get support from OCD-UK

OCD-UK provides information, advice and support for people with OCD.

You can access this support by visiting their website or by emailing [email protected] .

You can also join a regular support group for family and carers.

Your child can join a regular support group if they are aged 18 or over. OCD-UK sometimes run groups for under 18s too – check their website for details.

Get support from OCD-Action

OCD Action offers services and support for people with OCD, their families, carers and friends.

You or your child can get information and support by visiting their website, by calling their helpline on 0300 636 5478 or by emailing [email protected] .

You or your child can join regular support groups . These include a group for parents and carers to share experiences, and a regular group for young people aged 16-20.

How can I help my child with OCD at home?

It’s important to remember that you cannot expect yourself to treat your child or young person’s OCD by yourself at home. OCD is a complex condition, and treating it is the job of a professional.

If you’re concerned, it’s important to make an appointment with the GP. But alongside this, there are things you can do to support your child, and to feel more informed and confident yourself.

OCD can feel overwhelming to be around at times. Understanding how the condition works and how it can get better can help you to feel more confident about managing things. Here are some places to start:

• OCD-UK and OCD-Action have lots of useful information and advice on their website.
• It might help to have a look for books and articles written by other parents. For example, in Parenting OCD , Claire Sanders shares her story of supporting her son, and the tips she’s learned along the way.

Get support yourself as to how to cope with OCD so you understand and can support them in the best way.

Let your child know that you’re there for them, and try to focus on listening and understanding their experience. Try to remember as you go that they may feel ashamed about their thoughts. You could say, ‘I’ve noticed that things seem really difficult, can you tell me what it’s like for you at the moment?’. Empathise with how distressing it must be to have these thoughts and to feel so anxious. You can find more tips on listening to your child in our blog.

Don’t ask them lots of questions in the moment or when they’re finding it hard to talk. Encourage an environment where they feel able to talk to you openly when they want to. Listen to anything they are saying. It provides information as to what they might be struggling with, so you can support them in areas they need help.

Find out from your child what support they'd like from you when they’re struggling. Sometimes this could be offering a distraction like going for a walk or doing something creative together. At other times, it might be listening and providing emotional support. Your child can use OCD-UK’s booklet to let you know what kind of help they’d like from you, and you can use their parent guide to support you to respond.

If your child finds it difficult to tell you when they’re struggling with thoughts, try and find other ways of communicating. Some young people say they find it easier to agree a code word with their parent or carer. They can then say or text this word to them when they’re struggling with their thoughts and compulsions. This means they don’t need to voice what’s going on aloud, but can still alert you to the fact that they need support. Your child can also use OCD-UK’s booklet , in which they can write down the thoughts they’re having and circle the types of support they’d like from you.

Regularly doing activities that help them feel relaxed and soothed can help. Find out what works for them. It could be things like:

• colouring or drawing while listening to music or podcasts
• mindfulness and breathing exercises or meditation
• doing exercise like running, walking, playing sport or yoga
• finding ways to wind down in the evening
• doing activities that give them something to do with their hands, such as doodling, sewing, knitting or making something

You can also help your child to do the daily things that support your wellbeing. These include getting enough sleep, eating regular meals, doing some exercise and spending quality time with friends and family. They might sound simple, but they do have an effect on our mood.

When you’re stuck in a cycle of obsessions and compulsions, it can feel like there’s no way out. Let your child know that getting the right professional support can make a huge difference and that, with help, it won’t be like this forever.

Your child or young person’s thoughts might sometimes feel shocking to hear about. If your child is experiencing violent or sexual thoughts, or worrying about harming someone, remember that people with OCD are very unlikely to act on their thoughts. Some young people say their intrusive thoughts are the opposite of who they are. Worrying constantly about these things can show just how much they don’t want to cause harm to other people.

Some of your child’s thoughts and behaviours might be very challenging for you to deal with. It might feel like they’re negatively affecting your relationship with your child, or your wider family life and routines. Try to remember that this cycle is exhausting for your child too. They cannot choose to turn off their thoughts or stop doing the compulsions. Learning to manage OCD will be a gradual process and things won’t get fixed straightaway. But with the right support, it can get so much better.

Remain as calm as possible. Keep yourself regulated in the moment and also generally.

Acknowledging and understanding what they are going through in itself was a first big step in supporting them. This can be very powerful, and parents are not always aware of the power this alone can have – feeling that someone understands and is there supporting.

Remember your child doesn’t want this, they are not choosing it. It is their reaction to a situation that makes them feel anxious, and the OCD behaviours help them to feel calmer. Sometimes as a parent, you can feel upset by the repeated routines and compulsions. If this is happening, then walk away and get some support for yourself.

If I was to look back and give myself one piece of advice when Reuben became ill, I’d tell myself everything’s going to be ok. It would prove to be true, but for years it didn’t feel like that. Try to keep a positive frame of mind, and look to a brighter future with your child. Believe me, it’s possible.

You might also find helpful...

Getting support from mental health services

How to talk to your child about mental health

Useful helplines and websites.

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

You can access this support by visiting their website or by emailing  [email protected] .

You can also  join a regular support group  for family and carers.

Offers support and information to anybody affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Website provides  information and advice to help you access treatment . 

YoungMinds Parents Helpline

We support parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person's mental health. Our Parents Helpline provides detailed advice and information, emotional support and signposting.

You can speak to us over the phone or chat to us online.

You can speak to us over webchat between 9.30am and 4pm from Monday-Friday. When we’re closed, you can still leave us a message in the chat. We’ll reply to you by email in 3-5 working days.

Supports people struggling with panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and other anxiety-related issues - and provides support and information for their carers.

Call 01952 680835 for a recorded breathing exercise to help you through a panic attack (available 24/7).

Read information about call costs .

If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.

Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their  free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.

Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.

Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.

Free, short-term online counselling for young people aged 25 or under. Their website also provides lots of information and advice about mental health and wellbeing. 

Email support is available via their online contact form .

They have a free 1-2-1 webchat service available during opening hours.

This page was reviewed in May 2023.

It was created with parents and carers with lived experience of supporting their child or young person with OCD. 

We will next review the page in 2026.

YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK – the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.

Whether you love the page or think something is missing, we appreciate your feedback. It all helps us to support more young people with their mental health.

Please be aware that this form isn’t a mental health support service. If your child is in crisis right now and you want to talk to someone urgently, find out who to contact on our urgent help page .

Please note:

This form is not a mental health support service. We cannot reply to this. If you or your child are at immediate risk of harm, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E. If you are worried about your child’s mental health, call our Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544, Mon-Fri, 9:30am – 4pm. If you are struggling with your own mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123.

At YoungMinds we take your privacy seriously. If you’d like to read more about how we keep the information we collect safe, take a look at our privacy policy .

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Understanding the Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Panic Disorder

• Social Anxiety Disorder

Separation Anxiety Disorder

• OCD and PTSD Classification

Living With Anxiety Disorders

• Next in Anxiety Disorder Guide Causes and Risk Factors of Anxiety

An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that involves intense feelings of fear or worry. Different types of anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans. For example, 15 million U.S. adults experience social anxiety disorder, and 6 million experience panic disorder.

Anxiety disorders can be challenging and may greatly impact daily life. Learn about the different types of anxiety disorders, their causes, treatment, coping, and more.

Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

People with GAD experience intense feelings of worry or fear that occur most days for six months or longer. This anxiety is related to a variety of different areas of life, such as relationships, careers, health, and safety. GAD affects nearly 6% of adults at some point in their lives.

In addition to worry and fear that is difficult to control, symptoms of GAD may include:

• Changes in sleep or difficulty sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating
• Digestive issues
• Feeling restless
• Irritability
• Tense muscles , often in the neck and shoulders

While some people may be genetically prone to GAD, this condition may run in families partially because of life circumstances and the home environment. The specific causes are not fully understood.

Diagnosis involves an evaluation with a healthcare provider or mental health professional (such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker) who will ask questions and assesses the condition.

Treatment can include the following, which may be combined:

• Psychotherapy : Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches how to modify your thinking, behavior, and reaction to situations. Acceptance and commitment therapy teach strategies to address negative thoughts and reduce anxiety.
• Medication : Antidepressants or antianxiety medications may be prescribed.

Panic disorder is a condition in which a person experiences many panic attacks over a long period of time. The panic attacks come on suddenly, without any known danger, and involve intense feelings of fear or feelings of losing control. This condition is more than twice as common among females than males.

Symptoms of a panic attack include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling weak
• Increased heart rate
• Light-headedness
• Pain in the chest
• Shaking or chills
• Sweating with our without feeling hot
• Upset stomach

A person with panic disorder is intensely fearful of experiencing another panic attack, and they often fear or avoid places where they have had a panic attack.

Like GAD, it is not entirely clear what causes panic disorder. People who experience traumatic events or loss are at an increased risk. A mental health professional such as a psychiatrist can diagnose this condition with an evaluation that involves asking questions.

Panic disorder can be treated with talk therapy (psychotherapy) techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), coping techniques, relaxation exercises , support groups, lifestyle changes, and medications (antidepressants, antianxiety drugs, beta-blockers ).

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)

SAD involves fear or worry related to social interactions. Women are more likely to experience SAD than men, especially among teens and young women. Additionally, their symptoms tend to be more severe.

Social anxiety disorder symptoms include:

• Avoiding social situations or interactions
• Extreme shyness or fear of talking to new people
• Feelings of nervousness , embarrassment, or being judged
• Overthinking conversations
• Ruminating about interactions with others

The specific causes of social anxiety disorder are unclear. It may run in families, and stress and environmental factors also may play a role.

Similar to other types of anxiety disorders, SAD can be diagnosed by talking with a mental health professional. Some providers offer virtual appointments, which tend to be easier for people experiencing symptoms of SAD. Treatment may involve talk therapy, medications, or both.

Separation anxiety disorder involves intense fear or reaction related to being apart from those to whom the individual is attached. These fears and reactions are normal for babies and young children but can become a concern if they do not grow out of it around school age. This condition may also affect teens and adults.

Symptoms of separation anxiety disorder include:

• Difficulty sleeping, leaving the house, or taking part in activities that involve being away from a primary caregiver
• Extreme reaction when separated from a primary caregiver
• Fear or worry related to danger for a primary caregiver or self
• Feeling physically ill when separated from a primary caregiver
• Intense desire to constantly be with a specific person

The causes of separation anxiety disorder are not fully known. Traumatic experiences, instability at home, and stressful situations can increase the risk of this condition. It can be diagnosed with an evaluation from a mental health professional.

This condition can be treated with talk therapy or play therapy for children and talk therapy or medications for adults.

A phobia is a continuous, irrational, and intense fear of something that poses little or no actual danger. Most people who have a specific phobia have more than one. For example, a person may have a phobia of both spiders and heights.

Phobia symptoms include:

• Avoiding something specific due to fear, such as needles or dogs

Phobias can be caused by a traumatic event involving the thing that is feared or someone repeatedly or intensely expressing the dangers of what is feared. However, sometimes the cause is unrelated to the specific phobia, or the cause is unknown.

Phobias can be evaluated and diagnosed by a mental health professional. Treatment options include talk therapy and exposure therapy.

New Classifications for OCD and PTSD

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) used to be considered anxiety disorders, but are now classified independently.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD involves repeated, unwanted thoughts or urges (obsessions) and feeling the need to do something repeatedly (compulsions). It affects up to 3 million American adults.

Symptoms of OCD include:

• Feeling fear of losing control of their behavior
• Feeling the need to clean excessively or an intense fear of germs
• Fear of forgetting or losing things
• Placing items in a specific order
• Repeatedly checking that things have been completed

OCD may be caused by genetics or traumatic experiences, especially in childhood, but the causes are not fully understood. This condition can be diagnosed with an evaluation from a mental health professional such as a psychiatrist. It is treated with talk therapy , medications, or both.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD can result from experiencing a traumatic event. It involves a nervous system response after the event has ended and the person is no longer in danger.

PTSD affects about 6% of Americans at some point in their life. It affects about 8% of women compared to 4% of men due to trauma such as sexual assault being more commonly experienced by women.

PTSD symptoms include:

• Intrusive thoughts, which may include flashbacks
• Avoiding situations, places, and people that remind them of the traumatic event.
• Negative thoughts, guilt, shame, fear, distorted beliefs about themself or others
• Constant vigilance for potential danger
• Difficulty sleeping
• Jumpiness or being scared easily

PTSD is caused by a past experience of a traumatic event or events. Risk factors include abuse, accidents, and war. After an evaluation, this condition can be diagnosed by a mental health professional. It is treated with talk therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy CBT, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) , and medications.

Anxiety disorders are challenging, and often severe enough to impact daily life. They are also treatable. Up to 85% of people who receive treatment for anxiety disorders find it to be effective. Additionally, there are many ways to cope with anxiety disorders long term.

Coping methods include:

• Relaxation exercises
• Breathing techniques
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Connecting with a trusted friend or family member
• Lifestyle behaviors such as prioritizing sleep, eating nutritious foods, and exercising regularly

Anxiety disorders involve intense feelings of fear or worry that recur for six months or longer. There are different types of anxiety disorders, such as social anxiety disorder, which is an intense fear of social interactions that may be severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Panic disorder involves sudden episodes of intense fear called panic attacks. Separation anxiety disorder is when an older child, teen, or adult experiences an extreme reaction to being away from a primary caregiver or another loved one.

Generalized anxiety disorder is when anxiety is related to a variety of different areas of life rather than a specific object or situation.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were once considered anxiety disorders, but they are now considered separate conditions.

Anxiety disorders are treatable. It is important to seek help for these conditions to get relief and prevent further complications. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of an anxiety disorder, reach out to a primary care provider or mental health professional for support.

A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology

Verywell Health acknowledges that  sex and gender  are related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Anxiety disorders - facts and statistics .

National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized anxiety disorder .

National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety disorders .

National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized anxiety disorder: when worry gets out of control .

National Institute of Mental Health. Panic disorder .

National Institute of Mental Health. Panic disorder: when fear overwhelms .

Asher M, Asnaani A, Aderka IM. Gender differences in social anxiety disorder: a review .  Clinical Psychology Review . 2017;56:1-12. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.05.004

National Institute of Mental Health. Social anxiety disorder: more than just shyness .

Laicher H, Int-Veen I, Torka F, et al. Trait rumination and social anxiety separately influence stress-induced rumination and hemodynamic responses . Sci Rep . 2022;12(1):5512. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-08579-1

Nemours KidsHealth. Separation anxiety .

Boston Children's Hospital. Separation anxiety disorder .

Wardenaar KJ, Lim CCW, Al-Hamzawi AO, et al. The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys .  Psychol Med . 2017;47(10):1744-1760. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000174

MedlinePlus. Phobia—simple/specific .

International OCD Foundation. Who gets OCD ?

National Institute of Mental Health.  Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Department of Veteran Affairs. How common is PTSD in adults?

American Psychiatric Association.  What is post-traumatic stress disorder?

Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al. Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: current and emerging treatment options .  Front Psychiatry . 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584

By Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH Dr. Olivine is a Texas-based psychologist with over a decade of experience serving clients in the clinical setting and private practice.

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Physical Fitness Linked to Better Mental Health in Young People

A new study bolsters existing research suggesting that exercise can protect against anxiety, depression and attention challenges.

By Matt Richtel

Physical fitness among children and adolescents may protect against developing depressive symptoms, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study published on Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.

The study also found that better performance in cardiovascular activities, strength and muscular endurance were each associated with greater protection against such mental health conditions. The researchers deemed this linkage “dose-dependent,” suggesting that a child or adolescent who is more fit may be accordingly less likely to experience the onset of a mental health disorder.

These findings come amid a surge of mental health diagnoses among children and adolescents, in the United States and abroad, that have prompted efforts to understand and curb the problem.

The new study, conducted by researchers in Taiwan, compared data from two large data sets: the Taiwan National Student Fitness Tests, which measures student fitness performance in schools, and the National Insurance Research Databases, which records medical claims, diagnoses prescriptions and other medical information. The researchers did not have access to the students’ names but were able to use the anonymized data to compare the students’ physical fitness and mental health results.

The risk of mental health disorder was weighted against three metrics for physical fitness: cardio fitness, as measured by a student’s time in an 800-meter run; muscle endurance, indicated by the number of situps performed; and muscle power, measured by the standing broad jump.

Improved performance in each activity was linked with a lower risk of mental health disorder. For instance, a 30-second decrease in 800-meter time was associated, in girls, with a lower risk of anxiety, depression and A.D.H.D. In boys, it was associated with lower anxiety and risk of the disorder.

An increase of five situps per minute was associated with lower anxiety and risk of the disorder in boys, and with decreased risk of depression and anxiety in girls.

“These findings suggest the potential of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness as protective factors in mitigating the onset of mental health disorders among children and adolescents,” the researchers wrote in the journal article.

Physical and mental health were already assumed to be linked , they added, but previous research had relied largely on questionnaires and self-reports, whereas the new study drew from independent assessments and objective standards.

The Big Picture

The surgeon general, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, has called mental health “the defining public health crisis of our time,” and he has made adolescent mental health central to his mission. In 2021 he issued a rare public advisory on the topic. Statistics at the time revealed alarming trends: From 2001 to 2019, the suicide rate for Americans ages 10 to 19 rose 40 percent, and emergency visits related to self-harm rose 88 percent.

Some policymakers and researchers have blamed the sharp increase on the heavy use of social media, but research has been limited and the findings sometimes contradictory. Other experts theorize that heavy screen use has affected adolescent mental health by displacing sleep, exercise and in-person activity, all of which are considered vital to healthy development. The new study appeared to support the link between physical fitness and mental health.

“The finding underscores the need for further research into targeted physical fitness programs,” its authors concluded. Such programs, they added, “hold significant potential as primary preventative interventions against mental disorders in children and adolescents.”

Matt Richtel is a health and science reporter for The Times, based in Boulder, Colo. More about Matt Richtel

Understanding A.D.H.D.

The challenges faced by those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be daunting. but people who are diagnosed with it can still thrive..

Millions of children in the United States have received a diagnosis of A.D.H.D . Here is how their families can support them .

The condition is also being recognized more in adults . These are some of the behaviors  that might be associated with adult A.D.H.D.

Since a nationwide Adderall shortage started, some people with A.D.H.D. have said their medication no longer helps with their symptoms. But there could be other factors at play .

Everyone has bouts of distraction and forgetfulness. Here is when psychiatrists diagnose it as something clinical .

The disorder can put a strain on relationships. But there are ways to cope .

Though meditation can be beneficial to those with A.D.H.D., sitting still and focusing on breathing can be hard for them. These tips can help .

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often a long-lasting disorder in which a person has uncontrollable, reoccurring thoughts (obsessions), and behaviors (compulsions) that he or she feels the urge to repeat over and over.

Additional information about obsessive-compulsive disorder can be found on the NIMH Health Topics page on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder .

Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Among Adults

• An estimated 1.2% of U.S. adults had OCD in the past year.
• Past year prevalence of OCD was higher for females (1.8%) than for males (0.5%).
• Lifetime prevalence of OCD among U.S. adults was 2.3%. 2

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Impairment Among Adults

• Among adults with OCD, approximately one half (50.6%) had had serious impairment. 1
• Another 34.8% of adults with OCD had moderate impairment, and 14.6% had mild impairment. 1

Data Sources

• Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCSSC). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php   . Data Table 2: 12-month prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.  
• Harvard Medical School, 2007. National Comorbidity Survey (NCSSC). (2017, August 21). Retrieved from https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/ncs/index.php   . Data Table 1: Lifetime prevalence DSM-IV/WMH-CIDI disorders by sex and cohort.  
• Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27. PMID: 15939839 

Statistical Methods and Measurement Caveats

National comorbidity survey replication (ncs-r).

Diagnostic Assessment and Population:

• The NCS-R is a nationally representative, face-to-face, household survey conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 with a response rate of 70.9%. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) mental disorders were assessed using a modified version of the fully structured World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI), a fully structured lay-administered diagnostic interview that generates both International Classification of Diseases, 10 th Revision, and DSM-IV diagnoses. The DSM-IV criteria were used here. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) assessed disability in work role performance, household maintenance, social life, and intimate relationships on a 0–10 scale. Participants for the main interview totaled 9,282 English-speaking, non-institutionalized, civilian respondents. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was assessed in a subsample of 1,808 adults. The NCS-R was led by Harvard University.
• Unlike the DSM-IV criteria used in the NCS-R, the current DSM-5 no longer places OCD in the anxiety disorder category. It is listed in a new DSM-5 category, “Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.”

Survey Non-response:

• In 2001-2002, non-response was 29.1% of primary respondents and 19.6% of secondary respondents. Reasons for non-response to interviewing include: refusal to participate (7.3% of primary, 6.3% of secondary); respondent was reluctant- too busy but did not refuse (17.7% of primary, 11.6% of secondary); circumstantial, such as intellectual developmental disability or overseas work assignment (2.0% of primary, 1.7% of secondary); and household units that were never contacted (2.0%).
• For more information, see PMID: 15297905  .

Child therapist gives East Texans advice on raising kids with anxiety, OCD

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - Natasha Daniels, anxiety and OCD child therapist, says about one in every 200 kids will suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder and explains how to respond to it. As a mom to three kids with anxiety and OCD, Daniels understands all too well the struggle parents are facing.

Copyright 2024 KLTV. All rights reserved.

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Beyond 'Baby Blues': Shining the light on World Maternal Mental Health Day

by Victoria Sanchez

WASHINGTON (7News) — One in five mothers experience some type of mental health disorder during or after pregnancy. The Postpartum Support International wants to identify the often-silent signs and share free resources for those suffering.

May 1 is World Maternal Mental Health Day. Postpartum depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and even psychosis can occur during pregnancy and up to a year after giving birth.

“Women who get postpartum depression or anxiety, they’re not sad because they have a baby, they have a baby and they’re sad, and they’re anxious," explained Wendy Davis, Director of Postpartum Support International .

According to the organization, hundreds of thousands of parents suffer because they don't know what they are going through is treatable and common.

“If you hear about it ahead of time, it’s almost like you’re going to move to a place that rains all the time. Let’s talk about the rain, let’s have an umbrella," Wendy told 7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez.

READ | Technology, virtual doctor oversight 'significantly' lowers high blood pressure in new moms

Jennifer Davis, an Olney, Maryland mother of two, said she was prepared for the physical changes to her body but not much more.

“There were not conversations about the emotional changes, and I don’t think it’s because anyone was keeping secrets, I think it’s really because there’s a lack of awareness. I feel like my mother probably suffered and she didn’t even know so she wouldn’t have had the tools to walk me and talk me through what could happen," she said.

Jennifer experienced extreme worries and fears for her infant daughter that made it hard to function. When she gave birth to her son, she became depressed. She found help with Postpartum Support International and is now the chapters and affiliates director of the group.

“What is the difference between just the ‘Baby Blues’ and where it gets significant, where you need to get some help?” Sanchez asked Wendy.

“When you’re feeling sad, anxious, distressed, your thoughts are confused, you’re having trouble sleeping or eating, and it lasts longer than two weeks, it’s getting in the way of just dealing with life, and people are noticing that you don’t seem like yourself – those are the things that you want to say, ‘I think something else is going on here,'" she explained.

If you need non-emergency help, you can contact Postpartum Support International :

Call the Postpartum Support International HelpLine:

1-800-944-4773

#1 En Español or #2 English

Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN)

Text en Español: 971-203-7773

National Crisis Text Line:

Text HOME to 741741 anytime, about any type of crisis.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

National maternal mental health hotline.

Call or Text 1-833-852-6262

In English and Spanish

24/7, Free, Confidential Hotline for Pregnant and New Moms. Interpreter Services are available in 60 languages.