The prevalence rate in the general population is 2%.
Obsessions are ideas, images, impulses that enter the patient’s mind again and again in a stereotyped form which cause distress and the patient is unable to resist them.
Thoughts are recognized as one’s own even though they are involuntary and often repugnant.
Some common types of obsessions are contamination fears, intrusive violent thoughts, and images, fear of harming yourself or others, etc.
Compulsions are stereotyped behaviors that are repeated again and again.
Compulsive acts try to neutralize the anxiety that arises from obsessive thoughts.
Some common types of compulsions are cleaning/washing, arranging and rearranging objects, checking electrical appliances or locks, etc, hoarding a large number of items, etc.
Depression and anxiety are common along with OCD symptoms.
