Prevalence of OCD in the United States

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Lifetime and 12-Month Prevalence of OCD in the United States

Large-scale epidemiological studies consistently estimate the lifetime prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in the United States at about 2% to 3% of the population, with 12-month prevalence rates around 1% to 1.2% 13610. These findings are supported by both adult and adolescent samples, indicating that OCD is a relatively common mental health condition 3410.

Prevalence in Specific Populations and Clinical Settings

Among children and adolescents, studies report a lifetime prevalence of 2% to 3% by late adolescence, with similar rates found in both boys and girls, though boys may experience an earlier onset 410. In community samples of young adolescents, the prevalence of OCD has been found to be around 3% .

However, the prevalence of clinically recognized OCD in healthcare settings is much lower. For example, a large health maintenance organization reported a 1-year prevalence of only 0.084%, suggesting that many individuals with OCD are not diagnosed or do not seek treatment in clinical settings . Similarly, Medicaid claims data from New York State found diagnosed prevalence rates of 0.2% in children and 0.3% in adults, highlighting a gap between community prevalence and clinical recognition .

Prevalence Among Racial and Ethnic Groups

Research focusing on African Americans and Caribbean blacks found that lifetime and 12-month prevalence rates of OCD are similar between these groups, with both experiencing high levels of comorbidity and functional impairment. However, service use and access to evidence-based treatment remain low in these populations .

International Comparisons and Consistency

Cross-national studies show that the prevalence of OCD in the United States is consistent with rates found in other countries using similar diagnostic criteria, with annual prevalence rates typically ranging from 1.1% to 1.8% 56. This consistency supports the robustness of OCD as a diagnostic category across diverse populations.

Subclinical OCD and Comorbidity

A significant proportion of the population experiences subclinical OCD symptoms, which do not meet full diagnostic criteria but may still cause distress or impairment. The high prevalence of these subthreshold symptoms may contribute to the overall public health burden of OCD 34. OCD is also frequently comorbid with other psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, further complicating its impact 349.

Conclusion

OCD affects approximately 2% to 3% of the U.S. population over their lifetime, with about 1% experiencing the disorder in any given year. While these rates are consistent across age groups and racial/ethnic backgrounds, there is a significant gap between community prevalence and clinical recognition, indicating that many individuals with OCD remain undiagnosed and untreated. This highlights the need for improved identification and access to effective treatment for OCD across all populations.

Sources and full results

Most relevant research papers on this topic

Retrospective State Medicaid Claims Analysis of Children and Adults With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Public behavioral health systems need to increase their capacity to identify and treat OCD, as the prevalence is 0.2% among children and 0.3% among adults, with less than half receiving FDA-approved medications and another 19.4% receiving psychotherapy alone.

Observational Study

2023·

1citation

·Sapana R. Patel et al.

Obsessive‐compulsive disorder among African Americans and blacks of Caribbean descent: results from the national survey of American life

OCD is highly persistent among African Americans and Caribbean blacks, often accompanied by other psychiatric disorders, and is associated with high mental illness severity and functional impairment.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

2008·

76citations

·J. Himle et al.

The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

OCD is a common disorder with high prevalence of subthreshold symptoms, high comorbidity, and significant public health burden, requiring improved diagnostic classification and treatment approaches.

Observational StudyVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2010·

2337citations

·A. M. Ruscio et al.

Frequency of obsessive-compulsive disorder in a community sample of young adolescents.

OCD is not infrequent among adolescents, with comorbidity and symptomatology potentially facilitating earlier identification and treatment.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

1994·

478citations

·L. A. Valleni-Basile et al.

Cross-National Epidemiology of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD prevalence rates vary globally, with rates varying by country and sex, but all studies used the same diagnostic procedures and standardized age and sex distributions for precise estimates and comparisons.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

1998·

368citations

·M. Weissman

The cross national epidemiology of obsessive compulsive disorder. The Cross National Collaborative Group.

OCD prevalence rates are remarkably consistent across seven countries, with Taiwan having the lowest prevalence for all psychiatric disorders.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

1994·

804citations

·M. Weisman et al.

Epidemiology of obsessive compulsive disorder.

OCD is 50 to 100 times more common than previously believed, twice as common as schizophrenia or panic disorder, and is likely familial, with genetic factors playing a prominent role in its expression.

Highly Cited

1990·

468citations

·S. Rasmussen et al.

Comorbid obsessive-compulsive disorder in individuals with eating disorders: An epidemiological meta-analysis.

OCD is prevalent in individuals with eating disorders, with a higher prevalence in anorexia nervosa binge-eating purging type and patient samples.

Meta-Analysis

2021·

32citations

·Dalainey H. Drakes et al.

The prevalence of clinically recognized obsessive-compulsive disorder in a large health maintenance organization.

The 1-year prevalence of clinically recognized OCD in a large health maintenance organization was 0.084%, suggesting that many individuals with OCD are not receiving the benefits of effective treatment.

Observational StudyHighly Cited

2001·

128citations

·B. Fireman et al.

The epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents.

OCD has a lifetime prevalence of 2% to 3% in children and adolescents, with earlier onset in boys and a stable natural course, comorbid with depression, movement disorders, and anxiety disorders.

Highly Cited

1999·

273citations

·A. Zohar

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