Types of OCD

Types:

The obsession around a specific intrusive thought or fear is usually not about the content itself, but rather the fact that the outcome is uncertain. [4]

Contamination OCD: Those with contamination obsessions will usually have an excessive fear of germs, dirt, and disease. They might have obsessive thoughts surrounding the fear of touching items others have touched or excessively worry about catching infections from others and the environment. [4]
Examples: [4]

• What if I spread an illness to someone else, and they die?
• What if the food I ate was contaminated?
• If I make eye contact with that person or sit in the same seat where they were, I might be contaminated with some of their negative traits.

Perfectionism OCD: Those with obsessions about perfectionism may be excessively concerned with exactness and symmetry. perform repetitive rituals to achieve a sense of symmetry or order.  [4]
Examples: [4]

• If someone accidentally touches my left shoulder, I have to touch my right shoulder to make it even. I won’t be able to concentrate until I do.
  
• Someone may have trouble finishing the written assignments as a single mistake can cause them to rewrite the whole assignment. [7]

Symmetry OCD: sometimes called Order OCD, is characterized by ongoing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors surrounding sameness, orderliness, balance, and symmetry. Those with Symmetry OCD will experience frequent obsessions around things not feeling symmetrical or ordered. [4]
Examples: [4]

Compulsions OCD: People with this type of OCD may feel compelled to repeatedly check things due to persistent fears or doubts about potential harm or negative consequences. Compulsions typically involve repetitive checking behaviors, such as checking locks, appliances, or personal belongings multiple times to alleviate the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts. [4]
Examples: [4]

• What if I’m actually not a good person?
• How do I know that life is even worth it?

Harm OCD: Individuals who experience Harm OCD may have obsessive thoughts about harming themselves or others. Someone with this type of OCD may avoid certain objects or situations, seek reassurance, or engage in mental or behavioral rituals to prevent harm. [4]
Examples: [4]

• I could jump in front of the train right now.
• I could stab my husband with this knife.
• What if I left the faucet running and someone gets electrocuted?

Superstitious OCD: Individuals with superstitious OCD may have irrational and exaggerated beliefs about the power of certain actions or objects to influence events and may engage in compulsive behaviors or mental rituals to alleviate their anxiety or prevent perceived harm. Completing this compulsion may mean that they avoid bad luck or harm coming to themselves or others. [4]
Examples: [4]

Counting OCD: Also known as arithmomania, is a common subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by an obsession with numbers and counting. Counting OCD can manifest in a number of different ways, but some common symptoms include mental counting,  item counting, measuring, or waiting for a particular time to perform a specific task. [4]
Examples: [4]

Religious Obsessions: Those with religious obsessions may have obsessive thoughts, worries, or concerns surrounding moral judgment. They may have excessive worries about offending religious entities. These obsessions may involve fear of committing sins, blasphemy, or violating moral or ethical codes. [4]
Examples: [4]

• What happens if I take out this book from the library and someone else wants to read it? What if that person is suffering, and this was the book that would change their life?
• What if I steal something or forget to pay for it?
• I should not spend money on food when people are starving.

Real Event OCD: People who experience Real Event OCD will experience unwanted, obsessive thoughts and fears around an actual event that occurred in the past. Individuals with Real Life OCD become fixated on actual events or past experiences that make them question their character or morality or made them believe that they are not good or ethical people. [4]
Examples: [4]

• Something will come out about me that will cause public shame or humiliation.
• Did I say or do something inappropriate to my friend?
• What if I cheated on my partner in the past and can’t remember?

Sexual orientation OCD: This was known as homosexual OCD, but this is misleading as it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. These obsessions may involve persistent doubts or fears about one’s sexual orientation, and compulsions may include seeking reassurance, avoiding certain situations, or engaging in mental or behavioral rituals related to sexual orientation. [4]
Examples: [4]

Relationship OCD: For those with Relationship OCD, these obsessions are all-consuming and uncontrollable and often get in the way of establishing and maintaining romantic relationships - may experience intrusive and repetitive thoughts about their relationship, their partner’s qualities or flaws, and may engage in compulsive behaviors such as seeking reassurance, constantly checking their feelings, or engaging in mental rituals related to their relationship. [4]
Examples: [4]

• Is this the right person for me?
• Am I still attracted to my partner?
• What if they cheat on me?

Magical Thinking OCD: Form of OCD in which people believe their thoughts, words, or actions can have real-life consequences. No matter how unreasonable and irrational, they believe that their thoughts or actions have the ability to alter the course of events in the physical world. [4]
Examples: [4]

• What if I’m not really here? Would I know?
• I had a bad thought about someone. Did I just curse them unintentionally?
• If I check my bank account on a day or month that ends with an odd number, I will lose my job and won’t be able to support my family.
• If I don’t text my parents before I take off from a flight, the plane might crash.