Are there differences in the symptoms of OCD experienced by boys and girls?

OCD affects both sexes equally , although as with many other mental disorders, women tend to seek help more than men, and in clinical samples there is sometimes a greater representation of women.

Regarding differences in symptoms, in the earliest onset forms of the disorder in childhood, it is more common in males, those with a history of tics or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and those with symptoms related to order/symmetry (need to place or touch objects, arrange them, etc.). In females, OCD tends to have a slightly later onset (sometimes around the time of menarche), and contamination obsessions and washing/cleaning rituals are more frequent. Symptoms of depression are often present alongside OCD.