John Glanvill • Anxiety Specialist & Researcher • Anxiety • OCD • Bipolar • ADHD • Energy • Online Anxiety Treatment Course

The many and varied types of OCD

Types Of Ocd

One of the hardest things a person with OCD struggles to understand is that OCD is just OCD…

Whether it sabotages you with fears about contamination, being gay, that you’ll harm somebody, that you need to check things – or any of a thousand other ‘silly things that feel real’ – your clever unconscious mind is just using what it knows will scare you consciously to get your attention, to tell you that you are exhausted from worrying too much and are not living the life you were here to live!

Finally, seeing the truth.

Complex OCD only happens to very intelligent people who have a repressed dominance or a repressed extroverted creativity (or both).

Think about it: whenever you manage to overcome a certain OCD topic, it just morphs into another that will be just as scary! That is what OCD does!

OCD is the unconscious brain’s way of telling you that you are living your life incorrectly and dumbing your intelligence and creativity down to the level of a normal person – which you are not!!!!

When will people with OCD wake up and realise that they are not normal, they are super-normal and dumbing their creative minds down to fit into the mundane world of the average person is not a sensible thing to do!

My course teaches you that this is true – and what to do about it!

If you have had enough of unconsciously sabotaging yourself and wasting your untapped brilliance, then sign up today, and I’ll teach you how to free yourself from yourself…

Types of OCD

1. Contamination OCD

  • Obsessions: Intense fear of exposure to germs, dirt, or harmful substances that could cause harm or illness.
  • Compulsions: Actions like excessive washing, cleaning, or avoiding situations or items perceived as unclean.
  • Examples:
    • Worry about contracting diseases from touching doorknobs.
    • Avoiding public places to reduce exposure to contaminants.

2. Checking OCD

  • Obsessions: Persistent worry about causing harm, making errors, or failing to prevent a catastrophe.
  • Compulsions: Repeatedly inspecting objects or situations for safety, such as verifying locked doors or unplugged appliances.
  • Examples:
    • Checking multiple times if the oven is turned off.
    • Reviewing emails repeatedly to avoid mistakes.

3. Symmetry, Order, and “Just Right” OCD

  • Obsessions: A need for balance, precision, or a sense of everything being “perfect.”
  • Compulsions: Reorganising or repeating actions until achieving the desired sense of correctness.
  • Triggers: Disorganised environments or uneven arrangements of objects.

4. Intrusive Harm Thoughts OCD

  • Obsessions: Distressing and unwanted thoughts or images about causing harm to oneself or others.
  • Compulsions: Mental exercises to counteract these thoughts, avoiding potential triggers, or asking for reassurance.
  • Examples:
    • Fear of accidentally hurting loved ones.
    • Avoiding sharp objects due to intrusive images of violence.

5. Sexual OCD

  • Obsessions: Intrusive and unsettling thoughts about inappropriate sexual behaviour or urges.
  • Compulsions: Engaging in mental reviews, avoiding specific situations, or seeking reassurance to confirm one’s morality.
  • Examples:
    • Fear of being attracted to inappropriate individuals.
    • Worrying about unwanted sexual thoughts.

6. Religious or Moral Scrupulosity

  • Obsessions: Excessive concern about violating moral or religious codes.
  • Compulsions: Over-praying, confessing perceived sins, or excessively analysing ethical decisions.
  • Examples:
    • Fear of being condemned for blasphemy.
    • Constantly questioning if a decision was moral.

7. Relationship OCD (ROCD)

  • Obsessions: Doubts about one’s feelings or compatibility within a relationship.
  • Compulsions: Seeking constant validation, overanalysing interactions, or avoiding emotional closeness.
  • Examples:
    • Worrying if your partner is the “right” one.
    • Obsessing over whether you truly love your partner.

8. Hoarding OCD

  • Obsessions: Intense distress over discarding items due to fear of needing them or emotional attachment.
  • Compulsions: Holding onto objects to avoid perceived loss or regret.
  • Note: Hoarding related to OCD differs from standalone hoarding disorder.

9. Pure Obsessional OCD (“Pure O”)

  • Obsessions: Intrusive, distressing thoughts without visible compulsive behaviours. Often includes mental rituals to address obsessive fears.
  • Common Themes: Morality, harm, existential doubts, or responsibility.
  • Compulsions: Mental reassurance-seeking or avoidance behaviours.

10. Existential OCD

  • Obsessions: Persistent worries about philosophical or existential issues, such as the purpose of life or the nature of reality.
  • Compulsions: Excessive thinking, researching, or seeking reassurance about these existential concerns.

11. Health Anxiety OCD

  • Obsessions: Intense fear of having a severe medical condition or developing one.
  • Compulsions: Constantly checking for symptoms, seeking medical tests, or avoiding perceived health risks.
  • Examples:
    • Fixating on minor body sensations as signs of disease.
    • Avoiding hospitals due to fear of contamination.

12. Perfectionism OCD

  • Obsessions: Fear of making mistakes or not achieving high standards.
  • Compulsions: Over-preparing, repeatedly revising work, or avoiding tasks entirely.
  • Examples:
    • Spending excessive time editing documents.
    • Refusing to submit work unless it feels “perfect.”

13. Somatic or Sensorimotor OCD

  • Obsessions: Hyperawareness of bodily functions like blinking, breathing, or swallowing.
  • Compulsions: Trying to control or monitor these functions excessively.
  • Examples:
    • Constantly noticing your own heartbeat.
    • Being overly focused on the act of swallowing.

14. False Memory OCD

  • Obsessions: Persistent worry about events from the past or concern that you may have done something wrong.
  • Compulsions: Mentally replaying events or asking for reassurance to confirm whether the memory is real.

15. Responsibility OCD

  • Obsessions: Overwhelming fear of being responsible for harm or negligence.
  • Compulsions: Checking, avoiding tasks, or seeking reassurance to ensure safety.
  • Examples:
    • Fear of leaving the stove on and causing a fire.
    • Avoiding driving to prevent potential accidents.

Other Subtypes and Variants:

  • Taboo Thought OCD: Intrusive thoughts about topics considered culturally unacceptable or disturbing.
  • Magical Thinking OCD: Believing certain actions or rituals will prevent unrelated negative outcomes.
  • Environmental OCD: Fears related to natural disasters, pollution, or climate change.
  • Superstitious OCD: Obsessing over unlucky numbers, actions, or symbols to avoid perceived harm.

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Here are my top 300 types, themes, or subtypes of OCD

This may seem a bit lighthearted, but it’s important to recognise that OCD can unexpectedly seize hold of you through any unconscious thought that might provoke or distress your conscious mind. When you see it in writing, it becomes clear that these thoughts are merely tricks of the OCD—because you consciously know that you wouldn’t act on them and that they are absurd.

  1. Contamination OCD
  2. Harm OCD
  3. Sexual Orientation OCD
  4. Relationship OCD
  5. Checking OCD
  6. Symmetry OCD
  7. Religious OCD (Scrupulosity)
  8. Perfectionism OCD
  9. Counting OCD
  10. Ordering OCD
  11. Hoarding OCD
  12. Intrusive Thoughts OCD
  13. Health Anxiety OCD
  14. Pure Obsessional OCD (Pure O)
  15. Fear of Germs OCD
  16. Fear of Losing Control OCD
  17. Moral OCD
  18. Guilt OCD
  19. Death Obsession OCD
  20. Fear of Illness OCD
  21. Fear of Harm to Others OCD
  22. Fear of Fire OCD
  23. Fear of Contaminating Others OCD
  24. Fear of Being Poisoned OCD
  25. Fear of Being Infected OCD
  26. Fear of Supernatural Punishment OCD
  27. Fear of Bad Omens OCD
  28. Fear of Breaking Rules OCD
  29. Fear of Being Responsible for Accidents OCD
  30. Fear of Saying the Wrong Thing OCD
  31. Fear of Swearing OCD
  32. Fear of Committing Sins OCD
  33. Fear of Imperfection OCD
  34. Fear of Hurting Animals OCD
  35. Fear of Contracting Diseases OCD
  36. Fear of Allergies OCD
  37. Fear of Needles OCD
  38. Fear of Heights OCD
  39. Fear of Bridges OCD
  40. Fear of Public Speaking OCD
  41. Fear of Leaving Doors Unlocked OCD
  42. Fear of Leaving Appliances On OCD
  43. Fear of Forgetting Tasks OCD
  44. Fear of Losing Important Documents OCD
  45. Fear of Getting Lost OCD
  46. Fear of Being Late OCD
  47. Fear of Poor Academic Performance OCD
  48. Fear of Losing Personal Belongings OCD
  49. Fear of Failing in Career OCD
  50. Fear of Family Discord OCD
  51. Fear of Divorce OCD
  52. Fear of Aging OCD
  53. Fear of Death OCD
  54. Fear of Natural Disasters OCD
  55. Fear of Global Warming OCD
  56. Fear of Pollution OCD
  57. Fear of Animals OCD
  58. Fear of Driving OCD
  59. Fear of Flying OCD
  60. Fear of Boats OCD
  61. Fear of Crowds OCD
  62. Fear of Silence OCD
  63. Fear of Darkness OCD
  64. Fear of Bright Lights OCD
  65. Fear of Smells OCD
  66. Fear of Sounds OCD
  67. Fear of Textures OCD
  68. Fear of Colors OCD
  69. Fear of Patterns OCD
  70. Fear of Symbols OCD
  71. Fear of Numbers OCD
  72. Fear of Certain Words OCD
  73. Fear of Names OCD
  74. Fear of Locations OCD
  75. Fear of Changes OCD
  76. Fear of Chaos OCD
  77. Fear of Routine Disruption OCD
  78. Fear of Time OCD
  79. Fear of Speed OCD
  80. Fear of Slowness OCD
  81. Fear of Movement OCD
  82. Fear of Stillness OCD
  83. Fear of Technology OCD
  84. Fear of Cameras OCD
  85. Fear of Microphones OCD
  86. Fear of Being Recorded OCD
  87. Fear of Spying OCD
  88. Fear of Theft OCD
  89. Fear of Fraud OCD
  90. Fear of Lies OCD
  91. Fear of Secrets OCD
  92. Fear of Trust Issues OCD
  93. Fear of Rejection OCD
  94. Fear of Abandonment OCD
  95. Fear of Betrayal OCD
  96. Fear of Isolation OCD
  97. Fear of Criticism OCD
  98. Fear of Judgment OCD
  99. Fear of Disapproval OCD
  100. Fear of Success OCD
  101. Fear of Failure OCD
  102. Fear of Public Humiliation OCD
  103. Fear of Social Embarrassment OCD
  104. Fear of Talking to Strangers OCD
  105. Fear of Intimacy OCD
  106. Fear of Crowded Spaces OCD
  107. Fear of Open Spaces OCD
  108. Fear of Claustrophobia OCD
  109. Fear of Heights OCD
  110. Fear of Falling OCD
  111. Fear of Water OCD
  112. Fear of Swimming OCD
  113. Fear of Tides OCD
  114. Fear of Boats OCD
  115. Fear of Floods OCD
  116. Fear of Rain OCD
  117. Fear of Storms OCD
  118. Fear of Lightning OCD
  119. Fear of Thunder OCD
  120. Fear of Snow OCD
  121. Fear of Ice OCD
  122. Fear of Slippery Surfaces OCD
  123. Fear of Heat OCD
  124. Fear of Fire OCD
  125. Fear of Flames OCD
  126. Fear of Burning OCD
  127. Fear of Smoke OCD
  128. Fear of Ash OCD
  129. Fear of Dust OCD
  130. Fear of Dirt OCD
  131. Fear of Mud OCD
  132. Fear of Grass OCD
  133. Fear of Trees OCD
  134. Fear of Plants OCD
  135. Fear of Flowers OCD
  136. Fear of Seeds OCD
  137. Fear of Roots OCD
  138. Fear of Wood OCD
  139. Fear of Stones OCD
  140. Fear of Sand OCD
  141. Fear of Pebbles OCD
  142. Fear of Rocks OCD
  143. Fear of Mountains OCD
  144. Fear of Caves OCD
  145. Fear of Forests OCD
  146. Fear of Deserts OCD
  147. Fear of Jungles OCD
  148. Fear of Cities OCD
  149. Fear of Villages OCD
  150. Fear of Houses OCD
  151. Fear of Buildings OCD
  152. Fear of Offices OCD
  153. Fear of Schools OCD
  154. Fear of Hospitals OCD
  155. Fear of Elevators OCD
  156. Fear of Escalators OCD
  157. Fear of Stairs OCD
  158. Fear of Doors OCD
  159. Fear of Windows OCD
  160. Fear of Mirrors OCD
  161. Fear of Walls OCD
  162. Fear of Ceilings OCD
  163. Fear of Floors OCD
  164. Fear of Carpets OCD
  165. Fear of Furniture OCD
  166. Fear of Beds OCD
  167. Fear of Chairs OCD
  168. Fear of Tables OCD
  169. Fear of Cabinets OCD
  170. Fear of Kitchens OCD
  171. Fear of Bathrooms OCD
  172. Fear of Toilets OCD
  173. Fear of Sinks OCD
  174. Fear of Showers OCD
  175. Fear of Water Pipes OCD
  176. Fear of Electrical Outlets OCD
  177. Fear of Light Bulbs OCD
  178. Fear of Switches OCD
  179. Fear of Wires OCD
  180. Fear of Batteries OCD
  181. Fear of Electronic Devices OCD
  182. Fear of Computers OCD
  183. Fear of Phones OCD
  184. Fear of Tablets OCD
  185. Fear of TVs OCD
  186. Fear of Radios OCD
  187. Fear of Speakers OCD
  188. Fear of Headphones OCD
  189. Fear of Music Players OCD
  190. Fear of Cameras OCD
  191. Fear of Clocks OCD
  192. Fear of Watches OCD
  193. Fear of Calendars OCD
  194. Fear of Time OCD
  195. Fear of Deadlines OCD
  196. Fear of Appointments OCD
  197. Fear of Schedules OCD
  198. Fear of Routines OCD
  199. Fear of Habits OCD
  200. Fear of Change OCD
  201. Fear of Innovation OCD
  202. Fear of Creativity OCD
  203. Fear of Art OCD
  204. Fear of Writing OCD
  205. Fear of Reading OCD
  206. Fear of Numbers OCD
  207. Fear of Math OCD
  208. Fear of Equations OCD
  209. Fear of Calculations OCD
  210. Fear of Measurement OCD
  211. Fear of Weighing OCD
  212. Fear of Counting OCD
  213. Fear of Symmetry OCD
  214. Fear of Patterns OCD
  215. Fear of Geometry OCD
  216. Fear of Maps OCD
  217. Fear of Directions OCD
  218. Fear of Navigation OCD
  219. Fear of Getting Lost OCD
  220. Fear of Being Found OCD
  221. Fear of Being Seen OCD
  222. Fear of Being Heard OCD
  223. Fear of Speaking OCD
  224. Fear of Silence OCD
  225. Fear of Noise OCD
  226. Fear of Sound OCD
  227. Fear of Music OCD
  228. Fear of Lyrics OCD
  229. Fear of Instruments OCD
  230. Fear of Melodies OCD
  231. Fear of Rhythms OCD
  232. Fear of Tones OCD
  233. Fear of Voices OCD
  234. Fear of Accents OCD
  235. Fear of Languages OCD
  236. Fear of Dialects OCD
  237. Fear of Grammar OCD
  238. Fear of Spelling OCD
  239. Fear of Punctuation OCD
  240. Fear of Handwriting OCD
  241. Fear of Fonts OCD
  242. Fear of Colors OCD
  243. Fear of Shades OCD
  244. Fear of Brightness OCD
  245. Fear of Darkness OCD
  246. Fear of Shadows OCD
  247. Fear of Reflections OCD
  248. Fear of Transparency OCD
  249. Fear of Opaqueness OCD
  250. Fear of Cleanliness OCD
  251. Fear of Dirtiness OCD
  252. Fear of Hygiene OCD
  253. Fear of Illness OCD
  254. Fear of Death OCD
  255. Fear of Afterlife OCD
  256. Fear of Heaven OCD
  257. Fear of Hell OCD
  258. Fear of Spirits OCD
  259. Fear of Ghosts OCD
  260. Fear of Demons OCD
  261. Fear of Angels OCD
  262. Fear of Superstitions OCD
  263. Fear of Luck OCD
  264. Fear of Bad Omens OCD
  265. Fear of Predictions OCD
  266. Fear of Prophecies OCD
  267. Fear of Astrology OCD
  268. Fear of Astronomy OCD
  269. Fear of Space OCD
  270. Fear of Planets OCD
  271. Fear of Stars OCD
  272. Fear of Moons OCD
  273. Fear of Sunlight OCD
  274. Fear of Darkness OCD
  275. Fear of Night OCD
  276. Fear of Day OCD
  277. Fear of Time Passing OCD
  278. Fear of Memories OCD
  279. Fear of Forgetting OCD
  280. Fear of the Future OCD
  281. Fear of the Past OCD
  282. Fear of the Present OCD
  283. Fear of Reality OCD
  284. Fear of Dreams OCD
  285. Fear of Nightmares OCD
  286. Fear of Imagination OCD
  287. Fear of Thoughts OCD
  288. Fear of Feelings OCD
  289. Fear of Emotions OCD
  290. Fear of Love OCD
  291. Fear of Hate OCD
  292. Fear of Anger OCD
  293. Fear of Sadness OCD
  294. Fear of Joy OCD
  295. Fear of Fear OCD
  296. Fear of Anxiety OCD
  297. Fear of Depression OCD
  298. Fear of Stress OCD
  299. Fear of Calmness OCD
  300. Fear of Relaxation OCD

 It’s important to understand that these experiences may be perceived as real, but they stem from OCD. Enrolling in the course and actively engaging with the material will help clarify this perspective for you.

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