Subtypes Of OCD: The Different Types You Need to Know About

Did you know that there are different types of OCD? In this blog post, we will discuss the five most common subtypes of OCD. Each type has its own unique set of symptoms and challenges. If you think that you may be struggling with OCD, it is important to understand which type you are dealing with. This can help you get the right treatment and support. So, let’s get started!

What Is OCD?

OCD is an anxiety disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors. People with OCD may have symptoms of obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions are intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that trigger feeling of anxiety, doubt, or fear. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors that a person feels compelled to do in order to relieve the anxiety caused by the obsessions.

According to research, OCn. It is equally common among men and women and usually begins in childhood or adolescence. The concept of OCD began to develop in the nineteenth century, but it was not until the early 1980s that OCD was recognized as a distinct psychiatric disorder.

The existence of OCD is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. There is evidence to suggest that OCD can run in families, but the specific genes involved have not been identified. Environmental factors such as stressful life events or trauma may also play a role in the development of OCD.

It is important to understand that OCD is a treatable disorder. With proper diagnosis and treatment, most people with OCD can learn to manage their symptoms and live full, productive lives.

What Are The Different Subtypes Of OCD?

The subtypes of OCD can be generally divided into five categories:

Checking Compulsions

This is the very first and most common subtype of OCD. Checking compulsions is when people feel the need to check things repeatedly in order to ease their anxiety. In simple words, it is defined as the compulsion to check things (like the locks on the door, the stove, etc.) multiple times or in a certain pattern.

There are numerous symptoms of this subtype of OCD, which include:

• Excessive double-checking of things
• Checking the same thing multiple times
• Having a need to know or remember everything
• Fearing that something bad will happen if something isn’t done perfectly or in a certain way.

Checking compulsions are often linked to Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), which is a different but similar disorder.

Symptoms of checking compulsions can significantly interfere with a person’s daily life and routine. For instance, someone who excessively checks the locks on the door may spend so much time doing so that they are late for work or appointments.

People with checking compulsions often try to hide their symptoms from others out of embarrassment or fear of judgment. This can make it difficult for them to seek help from a mental health professional. If you think you might have this subtype of OCD, it’s important to reach out for help.

Hoarding Compulsions

Hoarding compulsions is another subtype of OCD and it is characterized by the need to hoard or save things. People who suffer from this subtype of OCD usually have a hard time throwing things away, even if they are useless. This is because they feel like they might need these things in the future. People with hoarding compulsions often have cluttered homes because they are unable to get rid of anything. In fact, among the subtypes of OCD, hoarding compulsions are one of the most difficult to treat because it is so hard to change a person’s mindset.

Symptoms of Hoarding Compulsions:

• The need to save or hoard things, even if they are useless
• A cluttered home because the person is unable to get rid of anything
• Difficult treating this subtype of OCD because it is hard to change the person’s mindset.

Hoarding compulsions are one of the most difficult subtypes of OCD to treat. If you or someone you know is suffering from this subtype of OCD, it is important to seek professional help. This makes life much more difficult and can be very isolating. For example, some people with hoarding compulsions are unable to have visitors over to their homes because of the clutter.

And this causes a lot of problems in their personal life as well. If you know someone who is struggling with this subtype of OCD, be sure to reach out and offer your support.

Contamination Subtype Of OCD

This subtype is all about contamination and germs. People with this type of OCD are constantly worried about becoming contaminated by germs or dirt. And will often go to great lengths to avoid any potential sources of contamination. This type of OCD is often linked with health anxiety. That converts into another subtype of OCD, i.e., healthy anxiety OCD. However, it should be noted that not all people with contamination OCD also have health anxiety.

Some of the common symptoms exhibit under this subtype of OCD;

• Fear of becoming ill or contaminated by germs
• Spending excessive amounts of time cleaning and washing in an attempt to avoid contamination
• Avoiding people, places, or objects that may be contaminated
• Constantly checking for signs of contamination
• Having intense anxiety about touching things

So, this contamination subtype of OCD can be really tough to deal with. Because it can severely impact your daily life and routine. If you think, you might be suffering from this subtype of OCD. Then, it is important that you seek professional help.

Sexual Obsessions

This subtype of OCD is often characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts or images that are of a sexual nature. These obsessions can be concerning sexual acts, children, rape, or anything else that the individual finds sexually arousing or offensive. People with this subtype of OCD may also have fears about contracting a sexually transmitted disease, being attracted to someone they should not be attracted to or committing a sexual act that is morally wrong.

Compulsive behaviors associated with this subtype of OCD may include:

• Checking for STDs
• Excessive washing and cleaning
• Avoiding people or places that trigger sexual obsessions
• Repeatedly asking others for reassurance about their sexuality
• Compulsively reading materials on sexuality
• Watching pornography compulsively

This subtype is very strange and also common for people. However, people having this type of OCD usually feels ashamed to reflect on their symptoms. But, they’re very obsessed with these thoughts and feel unable to deal with the obsession.

In these cases, professional help can do magic and really important to seek. Also, under this type, it might be considered a fantasy. But, always remember that this extremity of fantasies can lead you to big trouble. Therefore, seek professional help and talk to a therapist. They can better help you in order to live a normal life.

Relationship subtype of OCD

It is described as being preoccupied with a partner’s real or imagined faults. This is also known as ROCD. This subtype often leads to constant reassurance seeking from friends or family members about the relationship. People who suffer from ROCD may have difficulty making any decisions about their relationship, such as whether to stay or leave.

There are some common symptoms that help you to identify this subtype. These include:

• always doubting your partner’s love for you
• questioning whether you are good enough for your partner
• wondering if you are with the “right” person
• feeling the need to check on your partner constantly (e.g., through social media, text messages, etc.)
• avoiding situations or activities that might trigger doubts about the relationship
• engaging in compulsive behaviors to try to reduce anxiety related to the relationship (e.g., excessive reassurance-seeking, checking, research, or mental review)

If you identify with any of these symptoms in your relationship then you must have this disorder. This can have a very negative effect on your relationship if not treated early. It is important to get help from a mental health professional if you think you might have this subtype of OCD.

Any subtype of OCD can be mild, moderate, or severe. It is important to get help from a mental health professional if you think you might have any type of OCD.

Some Other Subtypes Of OCD

In addition, there are some other subtypes of OCD that have been identified. These include:

• Pure-O OCD: This type is characterized by obsessions without observable compulsions. In other words, the person experiences mental rituals (e.g., rumination, mental review, excessive praying) instead of or in addition to physical compulsions (e.g., hand-washing, ordering, tapping).
• Pedophilia OCD: This is a rare but severe form of OCD in which an individual experiences intrusive thoughts and/or images related to sexual attraction to children. People with this subtype often engage in compulsive behaviors. Such as avoiding places where children are likely to be found or excessively checking on their own behavior around children.
• Scrupulosity OCD: It is characterized by religious or moral obsessions and compulsions. People with scrupulosity OCD may be obsessively concerned with sinning, making mistakes, or being judged as a “bad person.” They may engage in compulsive behaviors such as excessive praying, confessing, or seeking reassurance from others.
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): This is a type of OCD in which an individual is preoccupied with one or more perceived physical defects or flaws. People with BDD often engage in compulsive behaviors such as mirror checking, excessive grooming, skin picking, and avoidance of social situations.

If you think you might have any type of OCD, it is important to get help from a mental health professional. OCD can be a very debilitating disorder, but it is treatable with the right help.

How To Deal With Subtypes Of OCD

When you understand the different subtypes of OCD, it can be much easier to find the right treatment for your unique situation. And, as discussed above the subtypes of OCD can range from mild to severe.

Furthermore, here are some tips to deal with the different subtypes of OCD:

• If you have mild OCD, try to keep a journal and document your thoughts and compulsions. This will help you to understand your triggers and work on avoiding them.
• Exposure therapy can be very effective for people with moderate to severe OCD. This involves gradually exposing yourself to the things that trigger your OCD in a safe and controlled environment.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another common treatment for OCD. This type of therapy focuses on changing the negative thoughts and behaviors associated with OCD.
• Medication: It can also be used to treat numerous subtypes of OCD. The commonly prescribed medications are antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and antipsychotics.

You can try Mantra Care for the best therapies for OCD by expert doctors. Mantra Care has a team of expert mental health professionals who can help you understand and manage your OCD. Contact us today to learn more about our services. In fact, there is a free consultation waiting for you.

Moreover, self-care techniques and healthy coping mechanisms make the treatments more effective. You should also consider joining a support group or therapy group. This can provide you with valuable support and information from others who are dealing with OCD.

Conclusion

To conclude, there are many different subtypes of OCD that people can suffer from. It is important to be aware of the different types so that you can get the help and support that you need. If you think you may be suffering from any type of OCD, please speak to a professional who can help you. These subtypes of OCD can be extremely debilitating and can have a negative impact on your life, but with the right help and support, you can recover and live a happy and healthy life.

Thank you for reading! I hope this has helped to better understand and if you found this article helpful. Then, please share it with others who may benefit from reading it.