Obsessions in normality and psychopathology

Background: This study examines the presence of obsessions in the general population and in various psychiatric disorders. Second, the impact of obsessions is studied in terms of general functioning and quality of life in the general population. Methods: Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS), a large representative sample of the Dutch population (n = 7,076). Diagnostic criteria were assessed by the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The association of quality of life and obsessions on each subject was assessed by using Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF‐36) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Results: Obsessions occurred frequently in the general population: the lifetime prevalence of obsessions was 5.3% and the 12‐month prevalence was 1.7%. Subjects with obsessions scored significantly worse (P