Subtypes of OCD:

• Checking OCD:
  • ​Checking OCD involves repetitive behaviors or mental rituals aimed at preventing harm, mistakes, or catastrophes. These checks are driven by doubt and fea.
• Magical thinking OCD:

  • Magical thinking OCD involves beliefs that your thoughts or actions can influence unrelated outcomes. You may feel responsible for preventing tragedies through mental rituals.

  • Common obsessions: "If I think this, something bad will happen. I must tap this four times or my family will die. That number is cursed."

• Symmetry and Ordering (Just Right):
  • A need for objects to be arranged precisely or tasks done in a specific way to reduce anxiety.

• Taboo/Forbidden Thoughts:

  • Intrusive, disturbing thoughts (violent, sexual, or religious) that violate personal values.

  • Pedophilia OCD (POCD) is a subtype of OCD involving intrusive, unwanted sexual thoughts about children. These thoughts evoke extreme shame and distress and do not align with the person’s values.

• False Memory OCD:

  • ​False memory OCD causes a person to become convinced they did something bad—even when there’s no real evidence. These false memories can feel vivid, triggering guilt, shame, or fear of consequences.

• Relationship OCD (ROCD):

  • Persistent doubt about the suitability, love, or commitment in a relationship.

• Perinatal/Postpartum OCD:

  • Intrusive thoughts related to the safety of a baby, often involving harm fears.

  • Postpartum OCD involves unwanted intrusive thoughts about harming your newborn, paired with overwhelming guilt or fear. These thoughts are ego-dystonic, meaning they contradict your values.

• Scrupulosity (Religious/Moral OCD):

  • Excessive guilt or anxiety about violating moral or religious doctrines.

• Hit and Run OCD:

  • A subtype of harm OCD focused on the fear of having caused a car accident without realizing it.

• ​Sensorimotor (Somatic) OCD:

  • Intense focus on involuntary bodily processes like blinking, breathing, or swallowing.

• Hoarding:

  • The compulsive acquisition of items and inability to discard them.

• ​Contamination OCD:

  • Fears of germs, illness, or contaminating oneself/others, leading to excessive cleaning.

• Harm OCD:

  • Intrusive thoughts about causing harm to oneself or others, resulting in checking behaviors to ensure safety.