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.
Existential OCD
Existential obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a subtype of OCD characterized by ongoing intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors related to a preoccupation with philosophical questions about life and existence. Anyone can be curious about the nature of reality, but for people with existential OCD, these thoughts are not primarily a source of curiosity or interest but rather intense anxiety.
Having dreams about your teeth falling out can be disturbing. Find out what therapists have to say about what it might mean.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Time anxiety can be triggered by real or imagined fears of lateness, productivity, or larger worries surrounding mortality.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
If it’s difficult to separate your waking from your dreaming life, you can take steps to figure out what’s going on–but you may never find answers to your biggest questions.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
When you’re disturbed by your dreams, the memory of them may affect your waking hours. Here’s how to cope.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
If you spend a significant amount of time researching psychosis and schizophrenia, then read on for what to do about your fears.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
These thoughts may be indicative of any one of a number of mental health issues, including several I've treated during my years as a therapist
As an experienced OCD specialist, I have recovered from my own struggles with OCD focused on a fear of death. Here's how you can do the same.
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Unanswerable questions like these can end up consuming your life. I know from experience how difficult these fears can be—and how to find relief.
By Elle Warren
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Drawing from my experience both as an OCD specialist and someone who's struggled with these very same thoughts, here's what you should know.
Fears about being adopted and persistent distressing doubts about one’s origin of birth in OCD are related to the subtype of Existential OCD.