Correlation Between OCD And Premature Death from Various Causes

A recent study has revealed that individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are 82 percent more likely to die prematurely, from natural or unnatural causes, compared to those without the disorder. Previous research had found higher mortality rates in people with OCD, but the specific causes of death had not been thoroughly investigated beyond suicide. Individuals with OCD typically experience distressing intrusive thoughts and feel compelled to perform rituals to alleviate the resulting discomfort, significantly impacting their daily functioning. This study aimed to determine the specific natural and unnatural causes of death contributing to the elevated mortality rates in individuals with OCD by comparing the health data of people diagnosed with OCD with those without the disorder over four decades.