{"id":11886,"date":"2020-06-07T12:00:29","date_gmt":"2020-06-07T16:00:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=11886"},"modified":"2026-03-27T15:31:32","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:31:32","slug":"ocd-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/ocd-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"OCD statistics"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s not uncommon to have a specific morning routine or evening ritual\u2014something that\u2019s become an integral part of daily life. And, it\u2019s not abnormal to want a tidy home or clean workspace. However, if you feel anxious when something isn\u2019t done just so or if you have to fight irrational or unwanted urges to repeat these tasks, you might find that these are symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)<\/span><\/a>, OCD affects an estimated 1.2% of adults in the United States. Below, we compiled the most recent and useful OCD statistics to illustrate its prevalence in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is obsessive-compulsive disorder?<\/span><\/h2>\n

OCD is a<\/span> chronic anxiety disorder<\/span><\/a> characterized by a cycle of obsessive thoughts and compulsions. The NIMH defines obsessions as uncontrollable, recurring thoughts and compulsions as behaviors that a person feels the urge to repeat again and again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The current<\/span> Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)<\/span><\/i><\/a> does not formally categorize OCD into different types. However, some clinicians find it helpful to<\/span> classify OCD<\/span><\/a> into one or more of four primary, but not mutually exclusive, types<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Contamination and cleaning<\/b>:<\/span> When obsession over germs and contamination leads to compulsive cleaning or handwashing<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Symmetry<\/b>: When an obsession over symmetry and order leads to compulsive counting, reordering, and repetitive behaviors<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Forbidden thoughts<\/b>: When intrusive thoughts about sex, violence, or religion lead to compulsive avoidance of triggering people and places or compulsively praying or seeking forgiveness and reassurance<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Hoarding<\/b>: When an obsession over acquiring or needing certain items leads to compulsive saving, even when the item has no value<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Regardless of the specific behavior, the cycle of OCD persists through an internal reward and punishment system, where compulsive behaviors are repeated to reduce anxiety caused by obsessions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Menije Boduryan-Turner<\/span><\/a>, PsyD, a psychologist based in California, explains that OCD greatly affects a person\u2019s life due to intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and uncertainty. OCD obsessions are intrusive and can be triggered at any time. Some people with OCD find it difficult to leave the house because ritualistic behavior in public can be embarrassing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How common is OCD?<\/span><\/h2>\n