Sébastien Grenier, Michel Préville, Richard Boyer, Kieron O’Connor,
Prevalence and correlates of obsessive–compulsive disorder among older adults living in the community,
Journal of Anxiety Disorders,
Volume 23, Issue 7,
2009,
Pages 858-865,
ISSN 0887-6185,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2009.04.005.

Prevalence of OCD Among Older Adults Reference

Boston College

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts that trigger repetitive and self-reinforcing behaviors. The obsessive component of this disorder can act as both an antecedent and a consequence, as the compulsive behavior is performed to quell the obsession, but ends up making the obsession even stronger. 

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) 

A study of community-dwelling older adults reported a 12-month OCD prevalence of 1.5%. The OCD group had a higher proportion of men than the anxiety- and mood-disorder comparison groups, poorer social functioning than same-age adults with anxiety disorders, and lower health-service use than older adults with other mental health disorders.

Reported OCD Prevalence and Group Differences Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

A significant comorbidity exists between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder. Data shows that 41% of individuals with OCD also meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. This relationship is often depicted in a Venn diagram, where the overlapping section of the two disorders' circles represents the percentage of co-occurrence.

Comorbidity of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder

A comprehensive understanding of obsessive-compulsive disorder requires knowledge of the various factors that contribute to its development. The origins of the disorder are complex and are thought to involve a combination of multiple influences.

Factors in the Development of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Based on the scenario provided, identify the intrusive thought and the repetitive behavior. Then, analyze the relationship between the thought and the behavior, explaining how they form a self-reinforcing cycle.

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