- F42
- Anxiety Disorders
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (F42)
DSM-5-TR: Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
- ICD-10 RangeF40-F48
- Subcodes5 subcodes
- Australian PrevalenceAffects approximately 2-3% of Australians over their lifetime. Often underdiagnosed, with average delay to treatment of 7-10 years.
- Global PrevalenceLifetime prevalence approximately 2-3% worldwide. Equally common in men and women.
- Duration RequirementSymptoms present on most days for at least two successive weeks
Overview
Obsessive-compulsive disorder involves recurrent obsessional thoughts and/or compulsive acts. Obsessional thoughts are ideas, images, or impulses that enter the mind repeatedly in a stereotyped form, are almost invariably distressing, and the individual often tries unsuccessfully to resist. Compulsive acts or rituals are stereotyped behaviours repeated again and again.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Recurrent obsessions (intrusive thoughts, images, or urges) and/or compulsions (repetitive behaviours or mental acts)
- Obsessions recognised as originating from the individual's own mind
- At least one obsession or compulsion is resisted unsuccessfully
- Carrying out the obsessive thought or compulsive act is not inherently pleasurable
- Significant distress or functional impairment
Duration Symptoms present on most days for at least two successive weeks
Exclusion Criteria
- Obsessional rumination in the context of depression (use F32/F33)
- Stereotyped movements without cognitive component (use F98.4)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F42.0 | Predominantly obsessional thoughts or ruminations | Ideas, mental images, or impulses are the predominant feature. They may take the form of obsessional doubts, ideas of contamination, or unpleasant sexual or blasphemous thoughts. |
| F42.1 | Predominantly compulsive acts | The predominant feature is compulsive rituals, most commonly related to cleaning (hand washing), repeated checking, or orderliness and tidiness. |
| F42.2 | Mixed obsessional thoughts and acts | Both obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviours are prominent. |
| F42.8 | Other obsessive-compulsive disorders | Other specified OCD presentations. |
| F42.9 | Obsessive-compulsive disorder, unspecified | OCD where the predominant feature is unspecified. |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Anankastic neurosis
- Obsessive-compulsive neurosis
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (F60.5)
Australian Clinical Context
OCD affects approximately 2–3% of Australians over their lifetime. RANZCP guidelines recommend CBT with exposure and response prevention (ERP) as first-line treatment, with SSRIs for moderate-to-severe presentations. Specialist OCD clinics exist in major Australian cities. Better Access MBS items cover psychological treatment.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
10 individual + 10 group sessions per calendar year
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
Grounded Scribe suggests the right MBS item codes from your recording so you can claim accurately without re-keying.
Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Note that in DSM-5-TR, OCD is classified separately from anxiety disorders under "Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders." ICD-10-AM retains it under neurotic/stress-related disorders. Document specific obsessions, compulsions, time spent, distress level, and degree of resistance. The Y-BOCS is the gold standard severity measure.
Related Assessment Tools
Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (F42).
- CORE-10
Clinical OutcomesA 10-item measure of psychological distress for monitoring clinical outcomes in therapyCalculate → - CORE-OM
Clinical OutcomesA 34-item pan-theoretical measure of psychological global distress covering four domains: subjective well-being, problems/symptoms, life functioning, and risk/harm.Calculate →
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (F42).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is OCD listed under anxiety disorders in ICD-10-AM but not in DSM-5-TR?
ICD-10-AM groups OCD with anxiety and stress-related disorders (F40–F48). The DSM-5-TR created a separate category "Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders" to reflect research showing OCD has distinct neurobiology. ICD-11 has similarly separated OCD from anxiety disorders.
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- RANZCP. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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