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Types & Symptoms of
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). These symptoms can significantly interfere with daily life and cause considerable distress. Common symptoms of OCD include:

  • Obsessions: Recurrent and persistent thoughts, urges, or images that are intrusive and cause significant anxiety. These may include fears of contamination, harming others, or fears of something terrible happening.

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  • Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors or mental acts that an individual feels driven to perform in response to an obsession or according to rules that must be applied rigidly. Examples include excessive cleaning, checking, counting, or repeating actions to prevent a feared event.

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  • Anxiety and Distress: Obsessions and compulsions often lead to intense anxiety and distress. The individual may feel temporary relief after performing a compulsion, but the relief is short-lived, and the cycle of obsession and compulsion continues.

Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) manifests in various forms, with individuals experiencing different types of obsessions and compulsions. While the core characteristics of OCD remain the same—obsessions leading to compulsions—the specific themes and behaviors can vary widely. Here are some common types of OCD:

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1. Contamination and Cleaning

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Obsessions:

  • Fear of germs, dirt, or contamination

  • Anxiety about being contaminated by touching objects or being in certain environments

Compulsions:

  • Excessive handwashing or cleaning

  • Avoidance of perceived contaminated objects or places

  • Repeatedly cleaning the same area

2. Symmetry and Order

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Obsessions:

  • Need for symmetry, order, or exactness

  • Distress when things are out of place or not aligned perfectly

  • Anxiety when surroundings whether in public, at friends' homes, or in personal spaces feel disorganized or chaotic

Compulsions:

  • Arranging items in a specific way

  • Repeatedly counting or tapping to achieve a sense of balance

  • Ordering and rearranging objects until they feel "just right"

3. Harm and Checking

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Obsessions:

  • Fear of causing harm to oneself or others

  • Intrusive thoughts about accidentally or intentionally hurting someone

Compulsions:

  • Repeatedly checking to ensure safety (e.g., checking locks, appliances, or switches)

  • Seeking reassurance from others that no harm has occurred

  • Avoidance of situations where harm might be possible

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4. Intrusive Thoughts
 

Obsessions:

  • Unwanted, distressing thoughts or images related to taboo topics such as violence, sex, or blasphemy

  • Fear of acting on these thoughts or that having them means something terrible

Compulsions:

  • Mental rituals to neutralize or counteract the thoughts (e.g., praying, repeating certain phrases)

  • Avoidance of triggers that provoke intrusive thoughts

  • Seeking reassurance that the thoughts do not define one’s character

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5. Hoarding

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Obsessions:

  • Fear of losing items of perceived importance or value

  • Distress at the thought of discarding possessions

Compulsions:

  • Accumulating unnecessary items and an inability to discard them

  • Excessive attachment to possessions regardless of their actual value

  • Organizing and saving items in a way that creates clutter and impedes living spaces

6. Counting and Repeating

Obsessions:

  • Need to count objects or actions

  • Belief that specific numbers or repetitions will prevent negative outcomes

  • Fixation on achieving specific numerical patterns or totals to feel “right” or to avoid a feared disaster​

Compulsions:

  • Repeating actions a specific number of times (e.g., turning lights on and off)

  • Counting items, steps, or movements

  • Performing rituals in a certain order to alleviate anxiety

7. Pure Obsessional (Pure O)

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Obsessions:

  • Persistent, intrusive thoughts without visible compulsions

  • Themes can include harm, sexual, religious, or moral concerns

Compulsions:

  • Mental rituals such as reviewing, analyzing, or seeking reassurance
    Avoidance of situations that trigger obsessive thoughts
    Engaging in covert rituals that are not easily observed by others

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8. Health Anxiety

Obsessions:

  • Fear of having a serious illness despite medical reassurance

  • Constant worry about physical symptoms and their implications

Compulsions:

  • Excessive medical research and seeking information

  • Repeated visits to doctors or medical facilities

  • Checking body for signs of illness

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9. "Just Right" (OCD)

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Obsessions:

  • Something is just not right with this

  • I need to start this over to make it perfect

  • This just doesn’t feel right

Compulsions:

  • Performing any action over and over, e.g. closing doors

  • Rearranging, reordering, organizing things repeatedly

  • Changing wording many times in emails or notes (NOCD)

10. Relationship OCD

Obsessions:

  • Is this the right person for me?

  • Couldn’t there be someone better out there?

  • Are we meant for one another?

  • What if we’re not meant to be but we still end up stuck together?

Compulsions:

  • Taking relationship quizzes online

  • Looking up other people on social media to see if their relationships seem better

  • Remembering situations over and over: did we really have fun together on vacation that time? (NOCD)

With therapy for OCD, remember to focus on progress, not perfection.

Recovery is a journey with ups and downs, so celebrate small victories and understand that setbacks are part of the process. Developing coping strategies, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and self-compassion, can help manage stress and anxiety. Lastly, education and awareness about OCD and its impact can empower you and your loved ones. Knowledge is a powerful tool in the recovery process. You are not alone, and with the right support, you can thrive. Reach out to us at Recovered and Restored to start your journey towards healing and a brighter future.

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