Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms in Normal Adults

Abstract

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristic of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in normal adults.
Methods : This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Participants were patients’ relatives, hospital staffs and students, including normal adults aged from 18 to 70, who had no history of psychiatric disorders. All participants were interviewed by using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and then answered questionnaires about general identification and assessed their own obsessive-compulsive symptoms by using
the Thai self-report version of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale -Second Edition (YBOCS-II-SR-T).
Result : One hundred and five normal adults participated in this study. The prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms was relatively high (65.7%). The mean and standard deviation (SD) of total symptoms per person was 6.85 ± 12.74. The mean and
SD of obsessive symptoms was 3.39 ± 6.65 and compulsive symptoms was 3.45 ± 6.34. The highest prevalence of obsessive symptoms were excessive worry about germs (25.7%) and having an illness or disease (26.7%). The most prevalence of obsessive symptoms were checking locks, stove, appliances, etc (36.2%) and checking that no mistake was made (30.5%).
Conclusion : Obsessive –compulsive symptoms were prevalent in normal adults. The study data might be useful for health care personals to take care, provide knowledge and reassure the obsessive-compulsive patients.