Common Subtypes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Common subtypes of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) include Contamination OCD, Harm OCD, Relationship OCD, and more. Each subtype presents unique challenges that impact daily life and mental health. Dr. Katie Flanigan-Landeros, Clinical Psychologist, offers specialized care tailored to these distinct OCD patterns. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 400 Continental Blvd FL 6, Suite A El Segundo, CA 90245.

Detailed List of OCD Subtypes

1. Contamination OCD

• Core fear: Germs, dirt, illness, or toxic substances causing harm.
• Compulsions:
Excessive handwashing, cleaning, sanitizing
Avoiding public spaces, bathrooms, touching people or objects
Reassurance-seeking about health or safety

2. Harm OCD

• Core fear: Causing harm to oneself or others (intentionally or accidentally).
• Obsessions:
Fear of stabbing a loved one
Fear of running someone over while driving
Fear of impulsively hurting a child or pet

• Compulsions:
Hiding sharp objects
Avoiding driving or being alone with others
Mentally reviewing past events

3. Sexual Orientation OCD (SO-OCD)

• Core fear: Being gay/straight or another orientation “without knowing,” despite identifying differently.
• Obsessions:
Intrusive thoughts or images of same/opposite sex
“What if I’m not really who I think I am?”

• Compulsions:
Checking arousal
Watching porn to “test” reactions
Rumination and reassurance-seeking

4. Pedophilia OCD (POCD)

• Core fear: Being sexually attracted to children or being a pedophile.
• Obsessions:
Intrusive images or thoughts about children
Fear of harming a child

• Compulsions:
Avoiding children
Mental checking
Reassurance-seeking

5. Relationship OCD (ROCD)

• Core fear: Being in the “wrong” relationship or not truly loving one’s partner.
• Obsessions:
“What if I don’t love them enough?”
“What if they aren’t attractive/smart/funny enough?”

• Compulsions:
Repeatedly analyzing the relationship
Comparing the partner to others
Seeking reassurance from friends or therapists

6. Sexual Intrusive Thoughts OCD

• Core fear: Unwanted sexual thoughts or urges that are disturbing.
• Obsessions:
Incestuous, violent, or inappropriate sexual thoughts
Fear of acting on unwanted fantasies

• Compulsions:
Avoiding triggers
Confessing or seeking reassurance
Rumination

7. Scrupulosity OCD

• Core fear: Moral or religious failure; being unethical, sinful, or offensive.
• Obsessions:
Fear of offending God
Fear of lying, cheating, or being “bad”

• Compulsions:
Repeated prayer or confession
Excessive apologizing
Avoidance of moral/religious content

8. Just-Right OCD (Symmetry & Exactness)

• Core fear: Feeling that things aren’t “just right” or symmetrical.
• Obsessions:
“Uneven” sensations or misalignment
Need for symmetry in actions or environment

• Compulsions:
Tapping, counting, evening things out
Repeating actions until they feel “right”

9. Magical Thinking OCD

• Core fear: Thinking something can make it happen, or prevent it.
• Obsessions:
Belief that certain thoughts, numbers, or words have power
Fear that bad thoughts will cause harm

• Compulsions:
Mental rituals (e.g., saying “good” thoughts to neutralize “bad” ones)
Avoiding “unlucky” numbers or signs

10. Existential OCD

• Core fear: Uncertainty about the nature of life, reality, or purpose.
• Obsessions:
“What if none of this is real?”
“What’s the point of anything?”

• Compulsions:
Excessive philosophical rumination
Reassurance-seeking or avoiding existential topics

11. Health Anxiety OCD (Hypochondriasis)

• Core fear: Having or developing a serious illness.
• Obsessions:
Sensations interpreted as signs of cancer, ALS, MS, etc

• Compulsions:
Repeated self-checking
Frequent doctor visits or Googling symptoms
Avoiding medical shows or conversations

12. Sensorimotor / Somatic OCD

• Core fear: Awareness of automatic bodily functions that become stuck in awareness.
• Obsessions:
Fixation on breathing, blinking, heartbeat, swallowing

• Compulsions:
Trying to “forget” awareness
Mental distraction rituals