OCD affects about 1 in 40 people, but the real number may actually be even higher.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder might seem like a relatively obscure mental health condition, but the truth is, millions of people deal with OCD on a day-to-day basis.
However, current statistics don’t fully capture the true impact of the condition. This is due in part to stigma, misdiagnosis, and a lack of awareness of the symptoms of OCD.
OCD is more common than you think
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by a cycle of obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are intrusive thoughts, images, urges, feelings, or sensations that cause significant distress. In response to obsessions, people with OCD engage in physical or mental acts known as compulsions to cope with distress. Ultimately, compulsions only provide temporary relief, which is why OCD can feel like a never-ending cycle.
So, how many people actually have OCD? Research suggests that about 2.3%, or 1 in 40 people, will develop OCD at some point in their lives. It also reveals that 1.2% of people have OCD in any 12-month period. This means that at any given time within a year, millions of people are experiencing OCD symptoms.
Research suggests that about 2.3%, or 1 in 40 people, will develop OCD at some point in their lives. It also reveals that 1.2% of people have OCD in any 12-month period. This means that at any given time within a year, millions of people are experiencing OCD symptoms.
While these estimates can give us a better idea of the prevalence of OCD, there are still some major barriers that keep us from seeing the real impact of this condition.
1. Stigma
Mental health conditions are often attached to shame and stigma. OCD in particular is associated with a number of harmful stereotypes and misinformation. The impact of living with OCD is often minimized and ridiculed in mainstream media. And, because intrusive thoughts can involve taboo topics, people with OCD may be mislabeled as violent or dangerous.
As a result of internalized stigma, people with OCD may conceal their symptoms and experiences from others out of fear of judgment.
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2. Unreliable assessment tools
Healthcare providers typically use assessment tools to confirm whether or not you have a specific health condition. However, for mental health conditions—specifically those with invisible symptoms—this isn’t so easy.
Providers rely on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM), a key guide for diagnosing conditions. But when it comes to OCD, the DSM has its limitations. “The DSM criteria are not perfect in their ability to detect OCD and might result in misdiagnosis,” says Jamie Feusner, MD, NOCD’s Chief Medical Officer.
OCD is a very complex condition with many different subtypes, such as perfectionism, scrupulosity, and harm. Because of this, some people may not fully understand the many ways OCD can show up, which can lead to people being overlooked in studies about the condition’s prevalence.
3. Mild OCD is often overlooked
The DSM says that experiencing some obsessions or compulsions doesn’t automatically mean you have OCD. To receive a diagnosis, symptoms must be time-consuming, cause significant distress, and impact daily life. This means someone can experience obsessions and compulsions and still not meet the criteria for the condition—which experts refer to as subclinical or mild OCD.
About 2% of people are diagnosed with OCD in their lifetime, but many more people may experience mild OCD symptoms. One study found that more than 25% of participants reported experiencing obsessions or compulsions at some point in their lives.
About 2% of people are diagnosed with OCD in their lifetime, but many more people may experience mild OCD symptoms. One study found that more than 25% of participants reported experiencing obsessions or compulsions at some point in their lives.
Why does any of this matter? Even mild symptoms can interfere with daily life, even if they don’t meet the criteria for a diagnosis. Plus, since OCD symptoms are often mild at first and become more severe over time, early treatment—especially with exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy—could prevent symptoms from worsening.
More OCD diagnoses—or just more awareness?
Some studies suggest the number of OCD diagnoses has increased over time. But does this mean that OCD is becoming more common? While we don’t have an exact answer yet, Dr. Feusner says that the increase in OCD diagnoses is likely due to more public awareness of OCD and mental health professionals receiving better training in identifying the condition and its subtypes.
“The field of mental health and health care in general perhaps have gotten gradually, but only slightly, better at diagnosing OCD,” says Dr. Feusner. “However, the lack of awareness and understanding remains a significant problem.”
Environmental stressors could also play a role in the increase of OCD symptoms and diagnoses. Research revealed that people with and without OCD before COVID-19 showed increased symptoms of the condition throughout the pandemic—especially those who engaged in compulsive handwashing and cleaning. In this sense, OCD, or at least the prevalence of obsessions and compulsions, can become more common for a certain period because of environmental factors that trigger or intensify OCD symptoms.
Bottom line
OCD exists on a spectrum, making it challenging to determine how many people are actually affected. While some meet diagnostic criteria for OCD, many others experience obsessions and compulsions at varying degrees that still affect their daily lives but never receive an official diagnosis.
Increasing awareness of mild OCD is crucial so people can seek help before symptoms worsen. Early intervention makes a difference, and getting specialized treatment—such as ERP—has been proven to be the most effective treatment for OCD.
If you think you have OCD, take this short test to better understand what you’re experiencing. While this isn’t a clinical diagnostic tool for OCD, it can help you decide whether to get professional support. When you’re ready to seek help, check out our directory of specialized OCD therapists who can help you navigate your symptoms and start treatment.
Key takeaways
- OCD affects about 1 in 40 people, but many cases are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
- Stigma and limitations in diagnostic tools can affect how often OCD is recognized.
- Rising OCD diagnoses may be due to better awareness, but not an actual increase.