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).
In Racism OCD people experience intrusive and unwanted thoughts or fear of being racist or being perceived as racist.
With OCD fear of mass murder, people can have intrusive fears that they might lose control and commit mass murder.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Fear of Cannibalism OCD involves intrusive thoughts, images, urges about eating your own flesh or that of other people, or a desire to do so.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Fear of compulsive violence is within the subtype of Harm OCD and includes fears of committing an impulsive violent act.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Fear of Fire OCD involves unwanted thoughts including either accidentally or purposely causing harm with fire.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Fear of harming siblings OCD includes intrusive thoughts/images about being aggressive or violent towards a sibling.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Baby harm themes in Harm OCD involve repetitive intrusive thoughts involving intentional or accidental harm to one’s own child, another young child, or babies and vulnerable children in general.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Self-Harm OCD fear can cause a person to experience intrusive & unwanted thoughts, images or urges of causing harm to others or themselves.
Reviewed by Patrick Carey
Fear of suicide OCD themes in Harm OCD involve unwanted, intrusive, fearful thoughts about committing suicide.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Fear of Hit and Run in OCD is characterized by unwanted thoughts or doubts about hitting a person or animal with your car and not remembering.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp