OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder is a diagnosable mental health condition that impacts one out of every 40 adults aged 18 and above in the United States alone. It also affects one in every 100 children under 18 in the United States. Stereotypes surrounding obsessive-compulsive disorder tend to suggest that it is always about cleanliness. While some obsessive-compulsive disorder people experience obsessions and compulsions surrounding cleanliness or contamination, that's not always the case. So, you might wonder, what are the different types of OCD? Keep reading to learn about some of the different ways that OCD can present.
How Many Types Of OCD Are There?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can take many forms, and the way it manifests will differ from sufferer to sufferer. Everyone who lives with OCD will experience it differently. Forms of OCD or obsessive-compulsive disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder subtypes include:
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Harm Obsessions With Checking Compulsions, which is a form of OCD where someone obsesses over potential harm. They may worry about things like someone breaking into their home or setting their house or apartment on fire because they left an appliance on. Compulsions in this form of OCD can't present in various ways, just like any other form of OCD. Still, it is common for people with harmful OCD to check the locks on doors, check to make sure that appliances are off, and experience intrusive thoughts that tell them that, unless they engage in a certain compulsion, then harm will occur to a family member and it will be their fault.
Symmetry Obsessions With Ordering Compulsions, which is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder where someone tends to obsess over order and experiences relentless, strong compulsions such as a need to arrange items, counting items, and so on. A person with this form of OCD feels extreme anxiety around making sure that things are arranged or ordered "just right."
Contamination OCD, which impacts about 25% of people living with OCD. Contamination OCD can present in various ways, but in simple terms, it is a fear of pervasive contamination. Someone with contamination OCD may engage in obsessive hand washing, avoidance of places or objects that may be dirty, getting tested for health conditions repetitively, and taking protective mechanisms against contamination to the extreme.
Relationship OCD, which includes obsessions that involve interpersonal relationships. It's common for someone with this type of OCD to question if their partner loves them or not over and over again even if they know that they do, or to wonder if the partner is right for them, even if they feel that they are and know that. It goes without saying that this can significantly impact someone's romantic relationships, which is one of the many reasons it is important to seek treatment for OCD.
Purely Obsessive OCD Or "pure O," a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder where a person experiences pervasive obsessions, but no visible compulsions. A person with this type of obsessive-compulsive disorder often experiences mental compulsions instead of compulsions visible to the outside world. An example of a mental compulsion would be counting in one's head or repeating phrases in one's head without speaking them out loud.
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These aren't the only ways that obsessive-compulsive disorder can be present, but they are some common presentations of the disorder.
What Are The 4 Types Of OCD?
Four common subtypes of OCD include harm OCD with checking compulsions, contamination OCD, symmetry OCD with ordering compulsions, and purely obsessive OCD or "pure O." However, as stated above, these are not at all the only forms that obsessive-compulsive disorder can take. Religious OCD and OCD surrounding other topics, such as sexuality, can also occur. Religious OCD is a type of OCD characterized by obsessions and compulsions related to religion. Someone with religious OCD may worry about being unworthy in a religious context or may obsess over thoughts or phrases, wondering if they have a dual meaning that may cause religious repercussions. Someone with this type of OCD may fear becoming possessed, going to hell, phrasing prayers incorrectly, and so on.
Types Of Compulsive Disorders Outside Of OCD
There are disorders related to obsessive-compulsive disorder that aren't diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder but are in the same category as obsessive-compulsive disorder in the most recent version of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders or DSM. The DSM category where you'll find criteria for OCD and related disorders is called "obsessive-compulsive and related disorders." Disorders related to obsessive-compulsive disorder that are not obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD include:
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder, which is often referred to as "BDD," is a disorder where a real or perceived flaw in one's physical appearance impacts their ability to function and engage in daily life activities. Someone may isolate from others and go to great lengths to change or hide their perceived physical flaw(s) with this disorder.
Trichotillomania, which is a disorder that causes a person to pull out strands of their hair. This disorder can leave people with bald spots or patches. A person with this disorder might pull hair from their head, eyebrows, or other areas of their body. Trichotillomania is sometimes abbreviated to or referred to as TTM.
Dermatillomania, also referred to as chronic skin-picking or excoriation disorder, is a disorder that is characterized by recurrent skin-picking. A person with this disorder may develop scars, infections, lesions, and other complications due to picking behaviors. Both dermatillomania and trichotillomania are characterized as body-focused repetitive behaviors.
Note that in the DSM there is also a diagnosis for OCD and related disorders that are induced by substance use or other medical complications. For the correct diagnosis, make sure to visit a medical or mental health provider such as your primary care provider or a psychiatrist who is qualified to diagnose mental disorders.
What Are The Different Levels Of OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder can range from mild to severe. According to the national institute of mental health, 50.6% of people living with obsessive-compulsive disorder have severe obsessive-compulsive disorder, where 34.8% of sufferers have moderate obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 14.6% of sufferers have mild obsessive-compulsive disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can impact a person's life in a variety of ways, including their ability to function or perform at work, at school, and relationships, or when completing daily tasks. With treatment, however, symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can improve. Obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD is a highly treatable mental health condition. If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder or think you might, know that help is out there and that you don't have to go through it alone.
Support For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
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One of the most commonly used types of therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder tends to be a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT called exposure and response prevention therapy or ERP. For all information regarding specific treatments or therapies, please consult a medical or mental health professional. Exposure and response and prevention therapy or ERP for OCD is a type of therapy that focuses on exposure to triggers or obsessions and learning to navigate those triggers. It isn't the only form of therapy that can be used for OCD, but the efficacy of this type of therapy is backed up by extensive research and is known to be helpful for those with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
To find an obsessive-compulsive disorder specialist in your area, there are a variety of routes that you can take. Many people start mental health treatment by scheduling a doctor's appointment and asking for a referral to a counselor or therapist. Other options for finding a therapist or counselor include conducting an online search, visiting an online mental health provider directory, contacting your insurance company or visiting their website to see who they cover in your area, or signing up for an online therapy website. If you’re struggling to find a provider, consider using the provider search tool located on the upper right-hand corner of the Mind Diagnostics website
The International OCD Foundation or IOCDF also has a resource finder tool on their website that can help you find treatment as well as support groups for those with OCD, or those who are family members of individuals with OCD. Support groups cannot replace mental health treatment, but they are highly advantageous for many people because they provide a sense of community and help you to feel less alone. You can access the IOCDF resource directory here. The IOCDF website also has extensive information on obsessive-compulsive disorder, the different types of OCD, OCD treatment, and more.
Take The Mind Diagnostics OCD Test
Do you think that you might have obsessive-compulsive disorder? If so, consider taking the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test. The Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test isn't a replacement for a diagnosis or evaluation from a medical or mental health professional, but taking the test can give you insight into your symptoms, and it might just be the first step to getting the help that you need. The Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test is fast, free, and confidential. Note that, while obsessive-compulsive disorder can impact anyone, the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test is for those aged 18 and older.
Click here to take the Mind Diagnostics obsessive-compulsive disorder test.
