Living with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can feel like a constant battle with your own mind. While many people think of OCD as simply being overly neat or organized, the reality is much more complex and often misunderstood. If you’ve found yourself grappling with persistent, unwanted thoughts and feel driven to perform certain rituals or routines, you’re not alone. We hope that by shedding light on the various types and subtypes of OCD, you will feel validated, informed, and encouraged to find the support and treatment you need.
What is OCD?
OCD is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that you feel driven to perform. These obsessions and compulsions can consume a significant amount of time and cause severe distress to the point that it interferes with your daily life.
Read: What is OCD? 5 Myths Debunked
What are common types of OCD?
Harm OCD
Harm OCD involves intrusive thoughts and fears about causing harm to yourself or others. These obsessions can be incredibly distressing and often lead to compulsions aimed at preventing perceived danger. These compulsions are not driven by a genuine desire to cause harm but rather by a profound fear of causing unintentional harm.
Compulsion examples: Repeatedly checking that your stove is off to avoid a fire or avoiding using sharp objects to prevent harming others
“Just Right” OCD
“Just Right” OCD is characterized by the need to have things a certain way until it feels “just right.” This can involve symmetry, order, or a specific arrangement of objects. You might spend excessive time arranging items, repeating actions, or performing tasks in a particular way to achieve a sense of completeness or relief from discomfort.
Compulsion examples: Rearranging your desk multiple times a day to ensure all items are perfectly aligned or repeatedly opening and closing a door until it feels right
Contamination OCD
Contamination OCD is one of the more commonly recognized subtypes, involving an intense fear of germs, dirt, or illness. People with this form of OCD may engage in excessive cleaning or hand-washing, avoid certain places or objects they perceive as contaminated, or seek reassurance that they haven’t been contaminated.
Compulsion examples: Brushing your teeth dozens of times a day or refusing to shake hands with others
Sexual Orientation OCD
Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD) involves intrusive thoughts and doubts about one’s sexual orientation. Despite having a clear understanding of their sexual preferences, people with SO-OCD may constantly question and analyze their feelings, leading to significant distress.
Compulsion examples: Seeking reassurance from others, repeatedly checking your reactions to people of different genders, or avoiding situations that might trigger doubts
Pedophilia OCD
Pedophilia OCD is characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts about the possibility of being a pedophile, even when there is no actual desire or intent to act on these thoughts. This subtype of OCD is particularly distressing and often makes seeking help feel difficult due to the taboo nature of the thoughts.
Compulsion examples: Avoiding being around children, seeking constant reassurance, or performing mental rituals to ensure you are not a danger to children
Relationship OCD
Relationship OCD (ROCD) involves obsessive doubts and fears about one’s relationship. These can include worries about whether you truly love their partner, whether your partner loves them, or if you are with the “right” person.
Compulsion examples: Frequently seeking reassurance from your partner, repeatedly analyzing the relationship, or avoiding situations that trigger doubts
Pure-O (Pure Obsessional) OCD
Pure-O, or Pure Obsessional OCD, involves intrusive thoughts without the visible compulsive behaviors that typically characterize OCD. These obsessions can include fears about harming others, unwanted sexual thoughts, or worries about morality. Instead of external compulsions, people with Pure-O often engage in mental rituals, such as rumination, mental checking, or seeking reassurance. The internal nature of these compulsions can make this subtype particularly difficult to recognize and diagnose.
Compulsion examples: Spending hours mentally reviewing and analyzing your thoughts to ensure you don’t pose a real threat, or repeatedly seeking reassurance from others about the nature of your thoughts
Religious OCD
Religious, or Scrupulosity OCD, involves obsessive fears related to morality, sin, or religious practices. If you have religious OCD, you may worry excessively about blasphemous thoughts, whether you are living according to your religious beliefs, or fear eternal damnation. This can cause significant distress and interfere with your spiritual and daily life.
Compulsion examples: Excessive prayer, seeking constant reassurance from religious leaders, or repeatedly confessing perceived sins to alleviate anxiety
No matter the type, OCD can be exhausting.
Living with OCD, regardless of the subtype, can be incredibly taxing. Each subtype brings its own unique challenges, but all share the common thread of causing significant distress and impairing daily functioning. The constant battle with intrusive thoughts and the need to perform compulsions can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Simple tasks like going to work, maintaining relationships, or even relaxing at home can become overwhelming.
Read: Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Treatable?
The good news is, OCD is treatable.
If you or someone you know is struggling with OCD, it’s crucial to seek professional help. Effective treatments are available, and early intervention can make a huge difference. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), particularly Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), is a well-established and proven treatment for OCD. ERP involves gradually exposing individuals to their fears while helping them resist the urge to perform compulsions. This process helps reduce the power of obsessions and compulsions over time.
Understanding the different types and subtypes of OCD is the first step in managing this condition. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts and compulsions, know that you are not alone—and help is available to you. Our therapists at Austin Anxiety and Trauma Specialists who specialize in treating OCD are here to support you on your journey to recovery. Take the first step today by booking your free consultation with one of our experienced therapists. It can get better. We can help.
