Who is affected?

Obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, affects about 750,000 people in Canada.

It is estimated that OCD affects 2-3% of the population. It is therefore a relatively common anxiety disorder. However, it is still poorly understood and not always recognized. OCD tends to be under-diagnosed and under-treated; many health professionals are not familiar with the symptoms of OCD and have not received the specialized training needed to provide appropriate treatment.
 
Receiving psychological and pharmacological treatment specially adapted to OCD problems is thus essential. While OCD may vary in intensity throughout life, there is no spontaneous remission. Some stressful events, major changes or acute fatigue may aggravate OCD symptoms.

An OCD may occur at any time in life. It can manifest itself in children and in older people.. In half the cases, OCD begins in adolescence;  onset is rare after age 35.