It was previously thought that the prevalence of OCD was low and relatively rare, with a prevalence of only about 0.05% in the general population, but in recent years large-scale epidemiological surveys in the United States have shown a high prevalence, and now more recognized epidemiological data show a prevalence of 1.3-2% during the 6-month period, 1.9-3.3% lifetime, and about 2.5% in adults with OCD. Recent epidemiological surveys of adolescents and adults have found similar prevalence of OCD in these two groups. Slightly more than half of the adult patients were female, but among pediatric patients, the ratio was 2:1. The onset of OCD occurs from adolescence to adulthood, earlier in males, around 13-15 years of age, and in females, between 20-24 years of age. Usually, OCD develops gradually and severely, but there are cases where it is already very severe at the beginning of the episode. Although most patients’ symptoms subside over time, about 10% of patients deteriorate further. OCD often leaves the patient with severe disruptions in ordinary functioning, such as affecting the patient’s job and causing deterioration in spousal and other interpersonal relationships. Follow-up surveys of adolescents with OCD have found that they often reduce their social activities in order to conserve energy for obsessive thinking and compulsive actions. Many people with OCD have had the disorder for several years before seeking treatment. One study found that the average time between the first noticeable symptom and the first time a person with OCD sought treatment was more than seven years. The disorder leaves individuals with severely impaired functioning, which can lead to job loss, spousal divorce, and other interpersonal problems. Fifty percent of married OCD patients who come to seek treatment have complaints of couple problems.