Common Fears & OCD Subtypes
OCD subtypes can help people to find community with others who share similar experiences, and they can assist therapists in designing targeted treatment plans, but they don't tell the whole story. If you can't find your subtype, that doesn't mean you don't have OCD—everyone's experience is unique, and many people's OCD symptoms don't fit neatly into any specific theme.
Harm OCD
Harm OCD is a common subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that causes intrusive unwanted thoughts, images or urges to harm oneself or others. Thoughts of harm should always be taken seriously, which can make symptoms of harm OCD especially frightening. People with harm OCD are not more likely to harm themselves or others than people with other OCD subtypes. However, they may view their intrusive and unwanted thoughts as an indication of a desire to act. This fuels their anxiety and drives them to engage in various compulsions aimed at eliminating this fear (e.g., removing all sharp objects from their kitchen).
This is a common experience—but that doesn't mean that it's not distressing. Learn when it may be a mental health concern, and how you can get help.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
This experience is extremely common, but it may sometimes signify a serious mental health condition that can disrupt your life.
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Fear of an unplanned pregnancy, or spreading or contracting an STI, can become all-consuming and negatively impact people's lives in several ways.
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
There are a couple of reasons why this fear may arise, including phobias and OCD. Learn how ERP therapy can help free you from your fears and anxieties.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
If you're plagued by unwanted, distressing fears or urges related to racist behavior that go against your values, this could be a sign of a mental health condition.
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
If you obsess over whether you could hurt people when you get angry, simply because of fleeting thoughts or urges, you're not alone.
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
We'll explain why intrusive thoughts and obsessions about sexually harming children do not reflect OCD sufferers' true desires or values.
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
If this scenario sounds all too familiar, you might be grappling with a lesser-known aspect of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
A strong fear of doing something harmful to a member of an underrepresented group—and the resulting consequences—may be a sign of a deeper problem.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
When violent dreams become a pattern, it’s normal to feel concerned. In this article, we’ll explore why violent dreams occur and what you can do to cope.
By Erica Digap Burson
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD