Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

What characterizes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

obsessions and compulsions that cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning, taking more than 1 hour per day or causing clinically significant distress.

What are obsessions in the context of OCD?

Recurrent, intrusive thoughts or images that cause anxiety; individuals attempt to suppress or neutralize these thoughts with other thoughts/ actions.

What are compulsions in OCD?

repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions, aimed at reducing distress or preventing a feared event, often lacking a realistic connection to the feared outcome.

What is the prevalence of OCD in the general population?

2%.

What is the mean age of onset for OCD?

The mean age of onset for OCD is 19.5 years, with 25% of cases starting by age 14.

What is the female to male ratio for OCD?

1:1.

What percentage of individuals with OCD have a lifetime diagnosis of another anxiety disorder?

More than 70% of individuals with OCD have a lifetime diagnosis of another anxiety disorder.

What is the most common mood disorder associated with OCD?

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common mood disorder associated with OCD, affecting over 60% of individuals with OCD.

What percentage of individuals with OCD may have a tic disorder?

Up to 30%

What are the common subtypes of OCD?

Cleaning/Contamination, Symmetry/Order, Checking, Hoarding, and Purely Obsessional.

What is the most prevalent subtype of OCD?

Cleaning/Contamination, involving fears of contamination.

What are the heritability estimates for OCD?

26-47%.

What is the concordance rate for monozygotic (MZ) twins with OCD?

80-87%.

What is the concordance rate for dizygotic (DZ) twins with OCD?

47-50%.

What cognitive factors contribute to OCD according to the Cognitive Behavioral Model?

perfectionism,

overestimation of threat,

thought-action fusion,

inflated sense of responsibility,

cognitive self-consciousness.

What is the cycle of OCD?

involves intrusive thoughts leading to anxiety, which then leads to compulsive behaviors aimed at neutralizing the distress.

What is the temporary effect of performing compulsions in OCD?

Performing compulsions provides only temporary relief, reinforcing the cycle and increasing the frequency of obsessions over time.

What is the prevalence of Body Dysmorphic Disorder?

approximately 2.4% of the population.

What is the estimated prevalence of Hoarding Disorder?

2-6%, with a higher incidence in females.

What is the prevalence of Trichotillomania?

1-2% of the population, with a female to male ratio of 10:1.

What is the prevalence of Excoriation Disorder?

prevalence of around 1.4%, more common in females.