OCD signs & symptoms

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) usually first appears in childhood, adolescence or early adulthood, although fewer than 5 percent of adults are diagnosed with OCD in its earliest stages. Depression, other anxiety disorders, eating disorders and chemical/substance abuse may accompany OCD. If OCD becomes severe enough, it can interfere with school or prevent a person from holding a job or carrying out normal activities at home. Warning signs of OCD include:

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  Onset of depression
• Social withdrawal
• Changes in attention span and concentration
• Higher need for organization
• Beyond normal need for reassurance
• Sleep difficulties
• Excessive tardiness
• Unusual patterns or routes to work or school