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- The five most common types of obsessions can be categorized as perfectionism, relational, contamination, causing harm, and intrusive thoughts. All obsessions can cause significant emotional distress, lower self-esteem, and interfere with the ability to function normally in relationships, work, or school.
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Depending on whether the obsession feels unacceptable or realistic, there are two types. 1. Autogenic obsessions. This type of ego-dystonic obsessions, that is, they feel disgusting, unacceptable, inconsistent with one’s own self-concept. They appear abruptly in consciousness without the evocative stimuli being identified.
- Overview
- Main OCD Subtypes
- Symptoms of the Different OCD Subtypes
- Other OCD Subtypes
- Obsessive-Compulsive Related Disorders
- OCD Subtypes in Children
- Treatment for OCD Subtypes
- A Word From Verywell
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The ways in which symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are experienced vary widely from person to person. Clinicians and researchers suggest that OCD can be divided into different types based on the nature of the symptoms experienced, resulting in several OCD subtypes.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) provides a broad definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder that includes the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions that cause major distress or disruption to daily living. There are also other disorders that include elements of obsession or compulsion.
This article discusses the main OCD subtypes, how the symptoms differ for each, and how they are treated. It also covers similar conditions that may be related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The five main subtypes of OCD are:
1.Contamination obsessions with cleaning compulsions
2.Harm obsessions with checking compulsions
3.Obsessions without compulsions
4.Symmetry obsessions with ordering compulsions
5.Hoarding
Although specific symptom types appear to be relatively stable over time, it is possible to experience a change in the nature and focus of your symptoms. Additionally, although the majority of your symptoms might be consistent with a particular symptom subtype, it is possible to experience symptoms of multiple OCD subtypes at the same time.
Relationship OCD
Relationship OCD is a subtype that involves experiencing obsessive and compulsive thoughts related to a person's romantic relationship. It is often marked by severe fears and doubts about the relationship, including whether their partner loves them, excessive concern for their partner's happiness, or wondering if they could find a better partner.
"Just Right" OCD
"Just right" OCD is driven by a general feeling that things are not quite right. To deal with this feeling, people often engage in compulsive behaviors related to counting, straightening, touching tapping, or lining things up. F
False Memory OCD
People with this OCD subtype experience frequent doubting thoughts. For example, they might worry about things they may have accidentally done in the past, such as whether they accidentally stole something or forgot to pay for something at the store.
The DSM-5 included new definitions of these disorders or moved them to this category.
•Skin picking disorder (excoriation): This disorder was also recognized as a distinct diagnosis in the DSM-5. It is persistent picking at the skin that results in lesions, infections, and clinically significant distress. It is prevalent in approximately 1% to 2% of the population.
•Hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania): In this OCD-related disorder, you have a strong urge to pull the hair from your head, eyebrows, eyelashes, or elsewhere on your body. It is usually treated with habit-reversal training and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
•Body dysmorphic disorder: This disorder is a "preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in appearance that are not observable or appear slight to others." The criteria include repetitive behaviors of grooming or checking appearance, or mental acts such as constantly comparing your appearance to others. Muscle dysmorphia is a subtype of body dysmorphic disorder.
•OCD and related disorders induced by a substance/medication or due to another medical condition: Exposure to certain substances and medications can induce the development of OCD symptoms. There also are certain medical and neurological conditions—including Tourette's syndrome—that can be associated with the development of the disorder.
In addition, although it is not uncommon for new mothers to experience a wide array of emotions following the arrival of a new child, the postpartum period has long been known to be a time of increased risk for the appearance, worsening, or recurrence of mood and anxiety disorders.
Although many people think of OCD as a disorder that affects only adults, a similar percentage of children are also affected. While there are many similarities between adult-onset and childhood-onset OCD, there are also many important differences—particularly with respect to treatment and the nature of symptoms.
We usually think of OCD as being caused by a combination of stress, genetic factors, and an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. But there is growing evidence that a specific form of childhood OCD may actually be an autoimmune disorder called pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).
Choosing a course of treatment for OCD depends on several factors, including:
•What has worked in the past
•Your attitudes toward medication
•Your motivation to undergo exposure response prevention (ERP) or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
•The severity of your symptoms
•The presence of other disorders such as depression
If you have symptoms of OCD or its related disorders, see your healthcare provider as there is treatment available. You are not the only person with one of these disorders. You will find support and get the help you need to relieve yourself of these symptoms.
9 Sources
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1.Williams MT, Mugno B, Franklin M, Faber S. Symptom dimensions in obsessive-compulsive disorder: Phenomenology and treatment outcomes with exposure and ritual prevention. Psychopathology. 2013;46(6):365–376. doi:10.1159/000348582
2.Leckman JF, Bloch MH, King RA. Symptom dimensions and subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A developmental perspective. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009;11(1):21–33. doi:10.1007/0-387-23370-9_1
3.International OCD Foundation. What is OCD?
- Owen Kelly, Phd
Jan 25, 2024 · There are five main types of obsessions: perfectionism (often related to symmetry, organization, or rules), relational (doubts or worries about a relationship, typically a significant other), contamination, causing harm, and unwanted intrusive thoughts (often with sexual or violent themes).
- Laura Dorwart
Aug 27, 2024 · No formal OCD types exist, but clinicians may categorize themes of OCD into four main dimensions depending on the focus of your obsessions and compulsions: cleaning and contamination,...
- Crystal Raypole
Apr 8, 2022 · Obsessive behavior and symptoms. According the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.), you may be dealing with an obsession if you experience stressful thoughts or...
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. OCD can affect men, women and children. People can start having symptoms from as early as 6 years old, but it often begins around puberty and early adulthood.
There are two significant aspects to OCD, obsessions and compulsions. The process of how with OCD our thoughts (obsessions) and our behaviours (compulsions) are entwined is far more complex, so we look at that later in this section, on this page we will help you understand what obsessions are. People with OCD experience unwanted obsessions ...
