Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety. It affects millions of people in the United States, impacting daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
In this post, let’s explore statistics related to the prevalence of OCD in the U.S., its effects on various demographics, common comorbid conditions, and the challenges individuals face in accessing proper diagnosis and treatment.
Key Takeaways:
- In the U.S., 2.3% of adults struggled with OCD between 2001 and 2003.
- The prevalence of OCD in the United States is higher in females (1.8%) compared to males (0.5%).
- 18-25 years is the most common age group affected by OCD in the U.S.
- When it comes to children in the U.S., 1-2% are diagnosed with OCD, half of which face additional comorbid psychiatric conditions.
- In 60-70% of OCD cases, the condition is chronic and symptoms persist.
- African Americans have a 2.3% prevalence of OCD, similar to the 2.6% rate in White individuals.
- In 1990, the economic burden of OCD in the U.S. was estimated at $8.4 billion, or 5.4% of the total $147.8 billion cost of all mental illnesses.
- In a survey, 90% of patients with OCD were found to possess at least 1 comorbid psychiatric condition alongside it. Depression was the most common comorbid disorder, affecting 31% of participants, followed by social phobia at 11%.
- A survey found that only 30.9% of severe OCD cases and 2.9% of moderately severe cases received treatment specifically for the disorder.
- Many people (40.0%) in the U.S. find not knowing where to get help to be a major barrier for them in receiving treatment for OCD.
- On average, it takes individuals with OCD in the U.S. over 9 years and visits to 3-4 doctors before receiving a correct diagnosis.
Prevalence and Severity of OCD in U.S.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), OCD is listed as one of the top 10 disabling disorders due to its enabling of financial loss and decreased quality of life.
- A report by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIH) revealed the following:
- In 2003, approximately 1.2% of adults in the U.S. aged 18 and over were diagnosed with OCD.
- In the same year, the prevalence of OCD was higher among females, with 1.8% affected.
- The percentage of U.S. adults who experienced the disorder at any time in their lives was 2.3% between 2001 and 2003.
- Between 2001 and 2003, OCD was most prevalent among younger individuals, with its occurrence decreasing in older age groups. Among individuals aged 18-29, 1.5% experienced OCD, while only 0.5% of adults over 60 were affected.
- From 2001 to 2003, about half (50.6%) of U.S. adults with OCD reported having experienced serious impairment, while 14.6% reported mild impairment.
- According to the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), approximately 1 in 40 adults will be affected by OCD in their lifetime. This translates to roughly 8.2 million adults in the United States.
- 1-2% of American children experience OCD, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
- The AAFP also highlights that the disorder is chronic in 60-70% of cases.
- The National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) found that nearly a quarter of males experience the onset of OCD before the age of 10.
- A 2005 study by Kessler et al. titled “Lifetime Prevalence and Age-Of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication” shows that ethnicity is not a significant factor among OCD diagnoses. African Americans experience OCD at rates similar to the general population, with a prevalence of 2.3% compared to 2.6% in White individuals.
- In a 2017 study by Lisa et al. titled “OCD in College Athletes”, the authors note that according to self-reported data from the Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory, OCD affects 5.2% of college athletes in the U.S., which is over twice the expected rate of 2.3%.
- According to a 1990 study by DuPont et al. titled “Economic Costs of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder”, the economic burden of OCD in the U.S. was estimated to be $8.4 billion, which was 5.4% of the approximated $147.8 billion cost of all mental illnesses combined.
OCD and Comorbid Mental Health Disorders
- Based on the NCS-R:
- An overwhelming 90% of respondents with lifetime OCD were also found to have at least 1 other psychiatric condition, with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, impulse-control disorders, and substance use disorders being the most common.
- In 92.8% of cases, OCD began after impulse control disorders.
- According to Stanford Medicine, a structured psychiatric interview of 100 OCD patients yielded the following results:
- Depression was the most common concurrent disorder, affecting 31% of participants, with social phobia affecting 11%, and eating disorder affecting 8%.
- The AAFP reports that 50% of children diagnosed with OCD in the United States experience comorbid psychiatric conditions.
OCD Diagnosis and Treatment in the United States
- In the NCS-R, only 30.9% of severe OCD cases received treatment specifically for the disorder. For moderately severe symptoms, only 2.9% of patients received OCD-specific treatment.
- In their article, “Long-Term Outcome in Adults With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” Michael et al. studies indicate that 32-74% of adult OCD patients will show clinical improvement in the long term.
- In a 2002 study by Goodwin et al. titled “Help-Seeking and Access to Mental Health Treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” which drew data from the NCS-R, the following findings were made:
- Among the reasons for OCD patients not opting for treatment, 40% simply did not know where to get help, while 24.9% found affordability a problem.
- Around 20% of the sample reported experiencing all these barriers, yet only 5.7% felt that treatment would be ineffective.
- Individuals from minority racial groups were 30% less likely to receive care compared to non-minority groups.
- According to Mental Health America (MHA), people with OCD in the U.S. see 3-4 doctors on average. Moreover, it typically takes over 9 years before they receive a correct diagnosis.
- Other estimates suggest that it takes a mean of 17 years from the onset of OCD for individuals to receive appropriate treatment, according to MHA.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Does OCD Affect Daily Life?
OCD impacts daily life by creating time-consuming rituals and intrusive thoughts that interfere with work, relationships, and routine tasks. People may spend hours checking, cleaning, or following specific patterns. This leads to stress, social isolation, and difficulty completing everyday activities.
Is OCD Genetic?
There is evidence to indicate that OCD may have genetic roots, but environmental risk factors also are likely to be involved. A 2018 study by Thomas et al. titled “Genetic Susceptibility in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder” found that an estimated 48% of the variation in OCD risk among individuals in the studied population could be attributed to genetic factors.
Can OCD Lead To Dementia?
Yes, OCD can increase the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. A 2021 study by Chen et al. titled “Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Dementia Risk: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study” found that patients with OCD had a hazard ratio of 4.28 for developing any type of dementia.
