Harm OCD
Harm OCD is a common subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, or urges about harming oneself or others. People with harm OCD are not more likely to cause harm than anyone else, and they may respond to their fears with compulsive avoidance or reassurance-seeking.
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Do you think you might have Harm OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
All thoughts of suicide or self-harm should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know has reported thoughts of self-harm, please call 911 or contact
By Fjolla Arifi
Reviewed by Michaela McCloud
Because obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts—which by nature can be deeply frightening—there is a compelling intersection between horror films and OCD.
One minute, you’re performing a mundane activity—driving a car, playing with your kid, or taking a shower. The next minute, you are haunted by a fixation
As mass shootings continue to erupt in American schools and public places, many people are living in fear about their own safety, and the well-being of
By Olivia Rockeman
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Do you think you might have Harm OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common condition where you experience intrusive thoughts, images, urges, or feelings (called obsessions), and
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder categorized by excessive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive — and
Reviewed by Dr. Keara Valentine
Everyone has passing thoughts of hurting other people. It’s just part of being human. Once in a while, everybody thinks, “Ugh, I could just kill her,” or,
If you or a loved one are experiencing harm OCD, it can feel terrifying and overwhelming — it’s scary to have thoughts that make you feel like you may
Do you think you might have Harm OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
As an ERP-trained therapist, I have seen this fear come up for many of the people I work with to recover from OCD.
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
OCD involving fears about faucets often involves fears about harm coming to loved ones or oneself, or damage from leaving the faucet running.
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Fear of leaving the stove on resulting in damage or injury is highly common for people suffering from Responsibility OCD or Harm OCD.
Do you think you might have Harm OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
OCD focused on fear of being a bad person involves recurrent, persistent, unwanted and intrusive thoughts or images about being a bad person.
Fear of concussions in OCD involves recurrent, persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts related to head trauma/concussion.
Excessive apologizing is common in OCD. Often, people with OCD feel the urge to compulsively apologize when it is not needed.
People with fear of losing control in OCD believe they can and must maintain perfect control of their actions to avoid negative consequences.
Do you think you might have Harm OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
Drowning fears, characterized by the concern that the individual themselves or others might drown, may be a sign of Harm themes in OCD.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
OCD focused on the fear of rape involves repeated intrusive, obsessive thoughts involving rape that cause intense anxiety or distress.
By Amber Samson, LCPC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
OCD fears about harmful contamination involve obsessive thoughts of harming others by spreading a contaminant.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp