Common Co-Occurring Disorders

Mood Disorders

Research suggests that about 25-50% of people with OCD also meet the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) at the same time. OCD can be mentally draining. Constant obsessions and compulsions take up time and energy, leading to feelings of hopelessness and sadness. Many people with OCD experience distressing or taboo obsessions, which can lead to self-criticism and depression. OCD can disrupt daily life, work, and relationships, which can contribute to depressive feelings.

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Silhouette of a person sitting on the floor, holding their head in their hands, in front of a window with curtains representing someone who struggles with an Anxiety disorder which is a common co-occurring disorder with OCD.

Substance Use Disorders

Studies suggest that about 10-27% of people with OCD also experience a substance use disorder at some point in their lives. The rate of alcohol use disorder in individuals with OCD is estimated to be around 24%, while drug use disorders affect about 18%. Substance use can be a way of coping with the distressing symptoms of OCD, however, it can also become one of the compulsions that fuels OCD.

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A middle-aged man sitting on a couch holding a glass of alcohol, looking distressed with his hand covering his face representing someone who is addicted to alcohol which is a common co-occurring disorder with OCD.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Research suggests that adults with OCD have exhibited more symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) than adults without OCD.

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Chalkboard with "autism spectrum disorder" written in colorful chalk, surrounded by colorful notebooks and chalk pieces on a wooden surface representing how ASD is a common co-occurring disorder with OCD.

Eating Disorders

One study found that between 18 - 34% of females who were experiencing OCD scored positively on an inventory measuring disordered eating. Studies indicate that fewer than 5% of men have OCD and an eating disorder while 7% of women likely have both disorders.

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Person holding fork and knife over an empty plate with a small piece of food to representing an eating disorder which is a common co-occurring disorder with OCD.

Phobia Disorders

The co-occurrence rates of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and specific phobias do vary across studies. For instance, a study within the Brazilian Research Consortium on Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders reported that 31.4% of participants with OCD also had a specific phobia. Phobias can develop from OCD fears. For example, someone with contamination OCD might also develop a full-blown phobia of dirt or public restrooms.

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Three people holding signs with the words 'CLAUSTROPHOBIA', 'PHOBIA', and 'ARACHNOPHOBIA' in a room with a white background because they are common co-occurring disorders with OCD.

Anxiety Disorders

OCD and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur. In fact, OCD was historically classified as an anxiety disorder before being reclassified as its own category in the DSM-5. However, anxiety remains a core component of OCD, and many people with OCD also experience other anxiety disorders. Lifetime comorbidity rates have been reported at 22% for specific phobia, 18% for social anxiety disorder, 12% for panic disorder, and 30% for generalized anxiety disorder.

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Person with curly hair looks stressed, covering face with hands, indoor setting with plants in background.

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