Is there a gender difference in the diagnosis of ...

[nmorano1]

Is there a gender difference in the diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder? At what age range is it likely to begin for females? For males?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

A person diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder has recurrent obsessions or compulsions. What do obsessions refer to? Compulsions? Provide examples of common obsessions and compulsions.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[pangili4]

Answer to Question 1

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is more likely to begin during the age range of 6 to 15 years for females and from ages 20 to 29 years for males, with the disorder being equally common for males and females (total incidence probably less than 2 of the population).

Answer to Question 2

A person diagnosed with an obsessive-compulsive disorder has recurrent obsessions or compulsions. Obsessions refer to thoughts, images, or impulses that are intrusive or inappropriate enough to cause a marked elevation of anxiety whereas compulsions refer to behaviors or mental acts that are ritualistic and designed to lower anxiety. Common obsessions include anxiety themes concerning contamination, order, doubts, or aggressive or sexual imagerynormal worries about everyday problems do not qualify. Common compulsions include repetitive behaviors such as hand washing, checking, or ordering of objects, or mental acts such as counting, praying, or silently repeating words.