We just looked at some examples of OCD subtypes. However, this list is by no means exhaustive.
So, how many more subtypes of OCD are there? Well, there is no exact number. While there are some more commonly cited OCD subtypes, OCD specialists agree that there are countless forms of OCD. Since obsessions and compulsions can be about anything, the number of OCD subtypes is innumerable.
The reason that some subtypes of OCD appear to be more common than others might just be that they are more easily identifiable and hence diagnosable.
Moreover, some OCD subtypes overlap. For example, pedophilia OCD comes under the umbrella of taboo thoughts OCD. Similarly, both harm and checking OCD involve fear of harming oneself or others.
Hence, it’s impossible to say how many subtypes of OCD there are. However, certain subtypes of OCD do have a higher prevalence than others.
5 Most Common Forms of OCD
Experts usually refer to a few broad subtypes of OCD. These subtypes are as follows.
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Contamination and washing OCD
Contamination OCD stems from a deep fear of contamination by touching certain surfaces or being in close proximity to other people. The sufferer experiences hyper-awareness about any contaminants, such as sticky residues, bodily fluids, and germs, on their body or their surroundings. Even when there is no visible contamination, the sufferer remains unconvinced.
Hence, he or she starts obsessively washing themselves and their surroundings.
Some common contamination obsessions are:
- HIV/AIDS
- Viruses and bacteria
- Bodily fluids (urine, feces, spit, or blood)
- Believing that other people are contaminated
Some common contamination and washing compulsions are:
- Excessive hand washing
- Lengthy showers
- Avoiding places and people
- Frequent and excessive disinfecting, sterilizing, and using hand sanitizer
- Needlessly throwing things away
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Ordering and arranging OCD
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a little order and organization in your life. However, people with ordering and arranging OCD experience extreme anxiety and distress over the smallest things being out of place. They need to arrange everything the “correct” way, whether according to color, size, or symmetry; otherwise, they feel incomplete.
Some common obsessions of ordering and arranging OCD are:
- Need for order, organization, and cleanliness
- Researching and perfecting ways to organize things correctly
- Intense anxiety about asymmetry
- Believing that certain numbers are bad luck
Some common compulsions of ordering and arranging OCD are:
- Repeatedly rearranging things
- Not allowing people inside your house
- Rewriting words and numbers until the handwriting is symmetrical
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Checking OCD
Checking OCD stems from a place of fear and doubt, and checking behavior is common across all subtypes of OCD. A person with checking OCD is always anticipating the worst-case scenario and tries to avoid it by constantly checking and double-checking everything.
Some common obsessions of checking OCD are:
- Fear of causing a fire by leaving a stovetop or hair straightener on.
- Fear of losing important things, such as a checkbook or engagement ring.
- Overthinking grammar and tone before sending emails and texts
- Fear of being robbed because of leaving your door unlocked
Some common compulsions of checking OCD include constantly checking if:
- All stoves, electrical appliances, water faucets, and lights are off.
- All doors and windows are locked, and security systems are enabled
- Important personal items and documents are in the proper place
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Harm OCD
Harm OCD is characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, or urges to harm oneself or others. More specifically, harm OCD is a fear of unintentionally inflicting harm on others and oneself.
Some common obsessions of harm OCD are:
- Fear of harming others
- Fear of harming self
- Immense guilt over violent intrusive thoughts
Some common compulsions of harm OCD are:
- Hiding knives, hammers, or anything that could be used as a weapon
- Checking drinks for poison
- Avoiding vulnerable people
- Driving around to check for “dead bodies.”
- Seeking reassurance that you didn’t harm someone
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Taboo thoughts OCD
People with this OCD subtype experience constant taboo thoughts and feel immense guilt and shame for it, even though they have no control over them.
Some common obsessions of taboo thoughts OCD include:
- Aggression and violence
- Morality or religion
- Sex (deviant or taboo)
Some common compulsions of taboo thoughts OCD include:
- Avoiding people out of fear of harming them
- Seeking reassurance that your behavior isn’t inappropriate
- Excessive praying, confessing, and seeking forgiveness
Conclusion
The five most common subtypes of OCD are contamination and washing, ordering and arranging, checking, harm, and taboo thoughts OCD.
However, countless other OCD subtypes exist beyond this list. All these forms of OCD are extremely debilitating, but possible to overcome with the right treatment.
