Within the disorder known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, are many different types of obsessions and compulsions.
Compulsions refer to behaviors or rituals that people feel driven to repeat over and over.
Usually, people participate in compulsive acts to reduce their anxiety or distress.
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How Common Is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder?
OCD is more common among women than men.
4 Types of OCD
There is no single official way to divide OCD into subtypes.
However, many researchers agree that there are certain common themes and symptom clusters among people with OCD.
Others feel compelled to perform excessive scheduling, planning, time management, and organizing rituals.
Contamination
Fear of contaminationis one of the most common obsessive themes among people with OCD.
Intrusive thoughts can take on many forms.
Some include:
Others experience intrusive, graphic sexual or violent mental imagery that they consider inappropriate or disturbing.
Often, rumination is related to an underlying obsession with guilt and excessive responsibility for harm.
People who experience intrusive thoughts may perform compulsive rituals in an attempt to neutralize the perceived threat.
Studies suggest that about 50% of people with OCD will experience full remission of their symptoms after treatment.
Many others are able to significantly improve their quality of life over time.
In some cases, antidepressants may be used in combination with psychotherapy to ease OCD symptoms.
What Is Serotonin?
Researchers have identified several common subtypes of OCD.
OCD symptoms often fall into one of four clusters: checking, order/symmetry, germs/contamination, or rumination/intrusive thoughts.
Other subtypes of OCD include hoarding and somatic obsessions.
OCD can be diagnosed by a mental health therapist using the criteria in the DSM-5.
It is typically treated with antidepressants,psychotherapy, or both.
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PMCID: PMC8650182
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