What Are the Types of OCD? Signs, Symptoms and Solutions

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition in which the person experiences repetitive and persistent thought, images, impulses/urges that are unwanted by the person and usually associated with anxiety (ICD-11). It can manifest in many forms; some clients show overt behaviors such as washing or checking while others have difficulty with obsessive thoughts and mental behaviors. The types explained ahead are not clinically recognized types, instead they are an attempt to simply understand and analyze if you yourself or your loved ones might be experiencing OCD or related concern. People can experience more than one type of signs or symptoms of OCD, and their symptoms can also evolve over the period of time.

What Is OCD?

OCD is a psychological disorder characterized by obsessions, compulsions, or both. Obsessions influence the person’s cognitive functioning negatively, while the compulsions influence the behavioral aspect in a negative manner. The presence of either or both can be highly distressing and impact on all areas of daily life and activity for the person.

Obsessions: They are persistent unwanted or involuntary thoughts, images or urges that cause distress for the person. These thoughts can be related to contamination, harm, safety, religion, sexual activity, relationships and others. Just having a thought doesn't mean that you immediately want to act upon it or wish for it to come true.

Compulsions: These are behaviors or mental acts that make the person feel compelled or bound to do. Mostly they are driven by the need to relieve anxiety associated with the incompletion of those tasks. These behaviors can look like excessive washing, counting, praying, repeating, and others, to seek reassurance.

Obsession-compulsion cycle: Once an intrusive thought arises and makes the person anxious, they would want to relieve this anxiety by a ritual for a temporary relief from that intrusive thought. However, when the ritual was initiated, it becomes a reinforcement to continue the behavior when that intrusive thought or image comes back each time. This becomes a cycle on repeat with a trying a resist but ultimately going ahead with the ritual to seek reassurance.

What Are the Types of OCD?

These descriptions are an outline of common depictions to identify the presence of OCD based on the symptoms. These aren’t meant as a list of diagnostic criteria, and the diagnosis of OCD should only be done by a trained professional.

1. Intrusive thoughts or images

These thoughts and images can be about anything that may be a part of your daily life (like cleaning, washing, keeping things in an organized manner, safety locks, bathing, etc.), the topics that seem are considered as a taboo in the society (like, sexual thoughts, crime, etc.), and other things.

However, they become a source of problems when they come repetitively, persistently and even at times when you are not wanting to think about it at all. When they persist to the extent that you feel incapable of concentrating on any other task of your routine and/or when they make you severely anxious about it, then it becomes essential to connect with a qualified mental health professional for the same.

2. Behavioral impulses or urges

These urges and impulses take a form of rituals to seek assurance which can seem to be a part of that individual’s daily activity. These behaviors can look like cleaning hands and accessories, washing clothes and utensils, checking locks, organizing things in a specific order, praying, avoiding public spaces or crowds due to fear of germs or getting infected, etc.

These actions become a concern when they are practiced so frequently and consistently that it tires the person to the extent that they do not have the energy to do anything else in their day. Thus, making them too occupied in their rituals throughout the day rather than focusing on their goals, assigned tasks or other commitments at home, workplace or in their relationships. In such instances, it is highly recommended to seek professional support rather than delaying it any further.

3. Hidden or Mental Compulsions:

These are usually more hidden or cannot be witnessed in others’ eyes. They may include mentally replaying events, testing oneself, silently repeating phrases or prayers, seeking reassurance, or proving the meaning of thoughts.

Which Type of OCD Is Most Common?

There is no common type of OCD that would be more common than other types; presentations overlap and prevalence varies depending on classification and measurement criteria. Contamination, checking, and taboos or harm obsessions are all very common. Clinicians pay more attention to individual symptoms than to the type of OCD.

Other conditions of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders

These include the mental health conditions that are marked with in the same group of obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (as per ICD-11), excluding OCD and the concerns that can seem similar to OCD. These are as follows:

Relationship-specific symptom: Repeated doubt about a relationship, someone, or oneself
Hoarding Disorder: A disorder that is associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, but a separate one characterized by difficulty discarding one’s belongings and impairment
Body dysmorphic disorder: A disorder related to OCD where there is a preoccupation with appearance or imagined physical defects
Tics: Some OCD sufferers may also have tics
Somatic/sensorimotor Obsession: Persistent focus on bodily sensations like blinking, breathing, and swallowing

Common OCD Symptoms

Symptoms may differ but can include intrusive thoughts or impulses; repetitive actions or mental acts; avoidance; difficulty in tolerating uncertainty; and problems or distress that disrupt everyday functioning. It is important to remember that all habits are not compulsions. An individual may know that the ritual is unnecessary but feels unable to resist doing it. The diagnosis depends on a professional evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.

What Causes OCD?

There is no specific cause that can explain the exact reason for occurrence of OCD. Evidence suggests that there are multiple causes (including biological, genetic, and environmental factors) and interaction amongst them can lead to OCD. Being diagnosed with OCD is not a weakness, poor willpower, or perfectionism. There is no single cause that can diagnose someone’s symptoms.

OCD Treatment

OCD is curable and treatment needs to be personalized.

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) Therapy: ERP is a technique of CBT that is widely used in the treatment of OCD. In a collaboration with a trained therapist, a person slowly faces the situations, thoughts, or stimuli that cause OCD while practicing not performing the compulsion. ERP is not about forcing someone to face their biggest fear. It can teach a person how to cope with stress and uncertainty without using rituals.

CBT and other therapies: CBT may include ERP and other methods of understanding how thoughts and actions work. Treatment must focus on OCD; a professional will guide about the most suitable method of treatment in each individual case.

Medication: A psychiatrist or another medical professional authorized to prescribe medications may consider SSRIs, along with therapy, if it is needed. Medications can vary depending on the individual. Start, stop, or change the dose of your medication only after discussion with a prescriber.

Do you need a specialist for each?

No. You don’t need a different specialist for every category. Think about contacting a qualified mental health practitioner experienced in evaluating and treating OCD, including ERP. It’s a good idea to have a consultation with a psychiatrist about medication options if necessary.

How to Respond If You Have These Symptoms

If you are experiencing the symptoms for a lot of time and having trouble with them interfering with daily activities, then consult with a mental health practitioner or a doctor. Explain your situation, frequency of symptoms, and their influence on your life, including cognitive ritualistic behaviors that can be hard to explain. Don’t try to self-diagnose based on a list on the internet.

OCD Support at Kaleidoscope

In case OCD issues start to interfere with your day-to-day activities, it would be helpful to consult a specialist to learn about the issue and develop an appropriate plan of action. In New Delhi, Kaleidoscope provides psychological services to people with OCD, both online and in-clinic. At Kaleidoscope, the first step in treatment is to understand a person's history, obsessions,

compulsions, and triggers, followed by a personalized treatment plan. One of the methods utilized in therapy is ERP, where a person is assisted by a qualified therapist to face their triggers without performing any compulsions. It is recommended to discuss the course of action with a specialist individually, as the treatment varies from patient to patient.

Before scheduling an appointment, you could inquire about the specialist's qualifications and experience in dealing with OCD, if they use ERP and how it is applied in your case, and whether a psychiatric evaluation is necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

There are four common types of OCD: contamination and cleaning, checking and doubt, symmetry and ordering, and intrusive or taboo thoughts. These are just examples and are not officially defined diagnostic categories.

There is no definitive answer. Everyone is different, and people with OCD can have multiple themes. Symptoms can also change over time.

"Pure OCD" is a term used by many for OCD in which compulsions are mainly mental or less noticeable such as reviewing, reassurance seeking, or silently repeating something. "Pure OCD" does not mean that there are no compulsions.

Some early symptoms can include unwanted thoughts, checking or washing, mental rituals, or avoidance causing discomfort or interfering with daily activities. Only a professional can determine if these symptoms are OCD.

It is usually a personal preference and someone can change it without significant discomfort. OCD includes unwanted obsessions and/or compulsions that are difficult to control and can cause significant discomfort or impairment. Neatness does not equal having OCD

There is no one best solution for all individuals. ERP-based CBT, medication, or a combination of both may be considered under the guidance of professionals.