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).
OCD fears about harmful contamination involve obsessive thoughts of harming others by spreading a contaminant.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
If you’re experiencing recurrent intrusive thoughts involving a worry or fear that you could be a child predator, it may be a sign of OCD.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
If you’re worried or have fears about drowning your baby in the bath, it may be a sign that you have OCD.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
If you’re worried about or afraid of using your pencil or being harmed by it, that may be a sign that you have OCD.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
If you're experiencing thoughts about molesting a child family member, it may be a sign that you have OCD.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
If you’re experiencing intrusive thoughts about the idea that you may have harmed kids in the past, it may be a sign that you have Harm OCD
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Harm OCD can include fear of becoming a serial killer or having a serial killer “personality” that leads to killing people.
People with fear of spouse harm related OCD often experience recurrent and unwanted fears of harming their spouse or partner.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
OCD focused on the fear of being burned is categorized by obsessions surrounding the idea of burning oneself or someone else.
Fear of theft in OCD is unwanted, intrusive thoughts about having items stolen, or worries about becoming a burglar and stealing from others.