Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

OCD is characterised by persistent, intrusive thoughts, often accompanied by repetitive behaviours that the individual feels compelled to perform in an attempt to alleviate the distress caused by these obsessive thoughts.

Obsessions are unwanted and intrusive thoughts, urges, images, or sensations that cause significant distress, discomfort or anxiety.

Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental rituals intended to neutralise, counteract or reduce distress caused by obsessions. These compulsions can be time-consuming and significantly impact a person’s daily life and functioning.

Although all forms of OCD share common symptoms, the way these symptoms appear in daily life can differ significantly from one person to another.

OCD often focuses on specific themes, and individuals may experience multiple subtypes, which can change over time. Regardless of the subtype, the gold-standard treatment for OCD continues to be Exposure & Response Prevention (ERP).

Below are some various subtypes of OCD:

Contamination OCD
A fear of contamination by germs, dirt, or illness, leading to frequent cleaning, washing, or avoiding perceived sources of contamination.
Checking OCD
A compulsion to repeatedly check things, such as doors, locks, or electrical appliances, out of fear that something dangerous will happen if not checked.
Symmetry and Order OCD
This subtype involves a strong need for symmetry, exactness, or order. Individuals may feel distress when things are out of place, uneven, or disorganized. They may arrange items in a particular way or repeat actions to ensure a sense of balance or perfection.
Harm OCD
This subtype involves an intense fear that one may harm others or themselves. The compulsions often include mental checks or avoidance behaviours to prevent harm.
Just Right OCD
Individuals feel compelled to perform actions or behaviours until they feel "just right" or "perfect." If things don’t feel exactly the way they should, it can lead to overwhelming anxiety or discomfort. This need for things to be "right" often doesn’t have a logical explanation but is deeply felt by the individual.
Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)
Individuals with this subtype experience obsessive doubts about their religious beliefs or actions. They may worry about committing sinful actions, violating religious rules, or not being religious enough. Compulsions may include excessive prayer, confession, or seeking reassurance from religious authorities.
Health OCD (Hypochondriasis)
People with this subtype are excessively preoccupied with health-related issues. They may fear having a serious illness, such as cancer or heart disease, and engage in constant checking of their bodies or researching symptoms. This can lead to frequent doctor visits and obsessive health monitoring.
Pure Obsessional OCD (Pure O)
Individuals experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) without engaging in visible or overt compulsions (the compulsive actions are primarily mental). Although the compulsions are internal, they still serve the same function as physical rituals in other forms of OCD: to neutralize anxiety or reduce the distress caused by obsessive thoughts.
Relationship OCD (ROCD)
Individuals with ROCD have intrusive doubts about their romantic relationships, such as questioning their partner’s love, commitment, or compatibility. Compulsions may include seeking constant reassurance from their partner or overanalysing the relationship to ensure that it is "perfect."
Existential OCD
A subtype of OCD characterized by obsessive thoughts and anxieties related to existential topics, such as the meaning of life, death, the nature of reality, and the concept of one's own existence. These thoughts often lead to deep existential questioning that can cause significant distress.
False Memory OCD
Intrusive doubts about past actions or events, particularly fears of having committed a wrongdoing or mistake, even when there is no evidence to support these concerns. Individuals may repeatedly try to recall details or seek reassurance.
Sexual OCD
This subtype involves obsessive thoughts about inappropriate sexual behaviour, fantasies, or feelings. These intrusive thoughts often cause significant anxiety, and individuals may engage in compulsive behaviours or mental rituals to neutralize the distress caused by these thoughts.
Magical Thinking OCD
Individuals experience intrusive, irrational thoughts or beliefs that certain actions, words, or thoughts can influence or control events in their lives, even though they have no logical or factual basis. These thoughts often involve the belief that if they don't perform specific actions, something bad will happen, or that their thoughts can directly cause or prevent events from occurring.

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