Shared Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an uncommon disorder in which 2 or more people show similar OCD symptoms.
Synonym: induced obsessive-compulsive disorder
Features of shared OCD:
(1) obsessive-compulsive disorder in 2 or more persons, usually living together (siblings, spouse, other)
(2) the OCD symptoms are similar in the individuals ("shared")
(3) one patent may have onset of OCD symptoms prior to others
(4) absence of psychosis
where:
• If psychosis is present in the group, then shared psychotic disorder (folie a deux) should be considered.
Sometimes the initial person has a dominant role in the relationship (the "inducer"), with the other(s) more submissive ("secondary").
Differential diagnosis:
(1) obsessive-compulsive traits in multiple people, but not "shared"
