Reports of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have risen sharply among people under 25, according to new findings, and a Wiltshire-based psychologist suggests the increase reflects improved recognition rather than a true surge in illness.
OCD is defined by the NHS as a mental health condition marked by intrusive, repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The disorder can begin in early childhood—sometimes as young as age 6—but most cases emerge around puberty or early adulthood.
Symptoms can disrupt daily life, though established treatments, including therapy and medication, are effective for many patients.
Dr. Lynda Parnham, a clinical psychologist in Wiltshire, said the reported rise likely reflects reduced stigma and greater public awareness. “It may not be that OCD itself is tripling, but the reporting of it is,” she said.
Increased discussion of anxiety and mood disorders on social media, as well as more openness among public figures, may be contributing to higher rates of self-identification and diagnosis.
Parnham noted that OCD is part of the broader anxiety spectrum, often grounded in fear. In clinical interviews, she said, patients frequently link the onset of obsessive thoughts or compulsive rituals to periods of instability, trauma, or a diminished sense of psychological safety. “These rituals often emerge from a very understandable attempt to regain control,” she explained.
Related topics
