Who Gets OCD?

OCD equally affects men, women, and children of all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. 

At What Age Does OCD Appear?

OCD can start at any time from preschool to adulthood.

Although OCD can occur at any age, there are generally two age ranges when OCD tends to first appears:

  • Between the ages 8 and 12.
  • Between the late teen years and early adulthood.

How Many Adults Have OCD?

Our best estimates are that about 1 in 100 adults — or between 2 to 3 million adults in the United States — currently have OCD. [1] [2]

This is roughly the same number of people living in the city of Houston, Texas.

How Many Children Have OCD?

It is estimated that at least 1 in 200 kids and teens — or around 500,000 youth in the United States — have OCD. This is about the same number of people living in Atlanta, Georgia.

That means four or five kids with OCD are likely to be enrolled in any average-size elementary school. In a medium to large high school, there could be 20 students struggling with the challenges caused by OCD. [3]

Learn More About OCD

What Is OCD?
What Causes OCD?
How is OCD Diagnosed?
How is OCD Treated?
How Do I Find Help for OCD?
Related Disorders


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