The 4 Types of OCD & How They Manifest

What is OCD?

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a mental illness that consists of patterns of obsessions and compulsions. These obsessions consist of reoccurring, intrusive thoughts, ideas, or sensations. In this blog post, we will consider the 4 most common types of OCD along with how they manifest.

The 4 most common types of OCD are:

1. Intrusive Thoughts & Ruminations

2. Checking

3. Contamination/Mental Contamination

4. Symmetry & Orderliness

1. Intrusive Thoughts & Ruminations

For those with OCD, it is usually typical to see these intrusive or disturbing thoughts. These thoughts are followed by rituals to prevent the bad thing from happening.

The most common types of intrusive thoughts are:

• Violent - fear or harming oneself or a loved one

• Sexual - Causing sexual harm to someone or intensively questioning one's sexuality

• Religion/Fear of Committing Sin

• Mystical - Fear that thinking the thought will make it more likely to happen

2. Checking

These repetitive actions of checking stem from a fear of losing something important or protecting what you love. Examples of checking include:

• Checking the door to make sure that it's locked in fear of burglary

• Reminiscing on past events to confirm that they felt a certain way, or didn't cause someone harm

• Intensively questioning one's sexuality, although outside of the obsessing they know their sexual preference

3. Contamination/Mental Contamination

Contamination Strong fear of being dirty or getting germs from objects/people Fear of not feeling clean enough Compulsions include: Not shaking hands Excessive teeth brushing Handwashing for longer periods of time

Mental Contamination Area of OCD that researchers are now getting an understanding of Triggered when one feels that they've been treated badly or had an abusive comment said to them They will begin to act out compulsions to wash away this feeling

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Although OCD can take what you enjoy and care for and causes manipulation as it plays on your fears, it can still be managed to fulfill a happy and calm life. Millions of teens around the world deal with OCD, even in small ways. For more information on OCD or help, visit the International OCD Foundation for OCD help and further information on this mental illness. Remember, no matter how difficult it may seem living with OCD, you are NEVER alone.

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Information Courtesy Of:

Psych2Go, "4 Types of OCD & How They Manifest." YouTube, 15 Apr. 2021, https://youtu.be/u_qfAtvX8Os.