People at risk

There are genetic factors linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. There are as many women as men affected by OCD¹². Men would suffer more from sexual obsessions and obsessions with symmetry and accuracy, women more from aggressive obsessions and washing rituals¹³.

The age of onset of OCD would be between 21 and 35 years¹⁴. In children, it is estimated that the age of onset is on average around 10 years and 3 months¹⁵.

Risk factors

Life events such as death can cause stress which in turn can generate obsessions and the setting up of rituals.