Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: May 24, 2024
Date Accepted: Apr 1, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Analyzing the contents of a large, public online peer support forum for obsessive-compulsive disorder: Thematic analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating chronic anxiety disorder with low rates of remission. r/OCD is a peer support forum hosted by the Reddit website with over 180,000 users and 100-200 new posts daily. While peer support is significantly associated with decreased symptom severity and better treatment outcomes, online forums can also be an outlet for performing and accommodating compulsions (e.g., seeking and receiving reassurance), which can ultimately exacerbate OCD. This subreddit provides an insight into the utility of online peer support forums for individuals with OCD.
Objective:
We analyzed posts from r/OCD, an online peer support forum for individuals with OCD, to characterize the content and interactions that take place in the subreddit.
Methods:
All new posts added to the subreddit within a 24-hour period from August 4, 2023 to August 5, 2023 (n = 132) were manually downloaded. Through inductive thematic analysis, posts were coded, and codes were organized into overarching themes.
Results:
Content analysis yielded four main themes: 1) Identifying OCD symptoms, 2) Sharing OCD experiences, 3) Coping with symptoms, and 4) Sharing treatment and recovery experiences. The user base appeared knowledgeable about OCD. Most posts involved users describing their symptoms, questioning if a particular symptom is OCD, and/or asking other users if any had similar experiences. A minority of posts solicited and provided advice on therapy and medication. Users were supportive and encouraging of each other’s recovery journeys.
Conclusions:
Online peer support forums for OCD appear to have mixed utility for users. Such outlets may be beneficial for receiving social support and exchanging peer experiences related to treatments. However, they may also facilitate compulsions that paradoxically reinforce obsessions; thus, clinicians should critically evaluate potential usage of forums like r/OCD among patients, as this may delay treatment response. Close moderation by healthcare professionals may be important for ensuring a net positive impact of online peer support forums for OCD.
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