Diagnosis information

Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Core diagnostic criteria, specifiers, differential considerations, and documentation support in one open, scan-friendly view.

F42.2OCD & RelatedLocal clinical reference

Criteria: 4 criteria, A–D
Specifiers: 4 specifiers
Differentials: 7 considerations
Severity specifier: Not listed

Core diagnostic criteria

All criteria are shown. No expand controls or hidden sections.

A
Core criterion A
Presence of obsessions (recurrent/persistent intrusive thoughts/urges/images + attempts to suppress or neutralise), compulsions (repetitive behaviours/mental acts driven by rigid rules aimed at reducing distress/feared event), or both
B
Core criterion B
Obsessions/compulsions are time-consuming (>1 hr/day) or cause clinically significant distress/impairment
C
Core criterion C
Not attributable to physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition
D
Core criterion D
Not better explained by symptoms of another mental disorder

Specifiers

With good or fair insight: The individual recognises that OCD beliefs are definitely or probably not true.
With poor insight: The individual believes OCD beliefs are probably true.
With absent insight / delusional beliefs: The individual is convinced OCD beliefs are true - important to distinguish from primary psychosis.
Tic-related: Current or past history of a tic disorder - influences treatment approach.

Documentation support

Consistent with [Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder] [specifier(s)]. There have been recurrent intrusive obsessions - unwanted thoughts, urges, or images experienced as intrusive - and attempts to ignore, suppress, or neutralise these thoughts; and/or compulsions performed in response to obsessions - repetitive behaviours such as checking, ordering, washing; mental acts such as counting or praying - aimed at reducing distress or preventing feared outcomes, occurring for more than one hour per day or causing marked distress or impairment. The presentation is further characterised by a pattern of obsessions and/or compulsions that are time-consuming, distressing, or interfere with functioning. These symptoms have resulted in clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or interpersonal functioning, and the picture is not better explained by a primary psychotic disorder, an anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, hoarding disorder, substance/medication effects, or a general medical condition.

Adapt this supplied template to the assessment. It is not a substitute for diagnostic reasoning or local documentation requirements.

DSM-5 DiagnosisDSM-ocd-obsessive-compulsive-disorderSupplied local catalogue