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My OCD doesn't seem to fit the stereotypes. Are there different types of OCD?

108 Answers
Last Updated: 08/05/2023 at 4:40pm
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
March 15th, 2017 8:32pm
There are five main types of OCD, but of course, there are other types because everyone is different in their own special way. Just because you don't fit into the stereotypes doesn't mean that what you have isn't valid.
Lightning18
June 3rd, 2017 12:24am
Yes, it's different for each person. The stereotype is usually symptoms like hand washing, repeating actions, and touching things, but it can also be more of an internal thing where you have obsessive thoughts. There are a wide range of OCD symptoms.
Steeljaw01
June 8th, 2017 9:38pm
Yes, there are multiple types of OCD, including intrusive thoughts OCD and repetitive behavior OCD.
Anonymous
July 8th, 2017 2:28am
Yes, there is. Most people only know very limited types. These are usually obsessions with cleanliness and symmetry. However, there are so many more ways OCD manifests itself.
Anonymous
July 22nd, 2017 7:32pm
Yes, there are a lot of different types of OCD's. Your behavior is a big determinant in what type of OCD you might have. From hoarding up to having intrusive thoughts. However, a proper diagnose can and should be made by a licensed therapist.
Xstitcher
September 5th, 2017 1:11am
There are lots of different forms of OCD, disorders affect everyone individually and although some symptoms may be similar to others with OCD it will never affect two people in the same way.
Anonymous
October 1st, 2017 2:51am
There are many different types of OCD. We look at all these stereotypes that we see on TV so we have this box that we think we shall fit in but in reality OCD really isn't anything like that. I have a rare condition of OCD where I avoid stuff I don't like touching stuff I wear gloves Everywhere I Go. Then there are others that you know we need to make sure everything's clean all the time. So just because you have this OCD and you don't think it fits in a category that you know everybody says it is it really is not we are all different and we all have our own type OCD.
KintsugiCup
October 13th, 2017 10:55am
There are different types of OCD, and if you can show signs of more of them. These are LABELS, they are not a definition of who or what you are; they just help doctors and professionals to get an idea fast about what you have. You can have "checking" OCD and be the least tidy person in the world. As with physical illnesses, it depends on the person what symptoms he/she indeed shows. The only one who can tell you indeed have OCD, and which kind of it, and with which symptoms, is a proper doctor or therapist. Self-made prescriptions never work, because either you're wrong or you can't heal by yourself. If all of us want mental illnesses to be takes seriously as physical ones are, we should start with ourselves: self help is good, but is never ever enough, not in a thousand years. You're (mentally) sick? then you're going to ask for a doctor's/professional's opinion and help. No self-medication works, especially with so subtle a monster as OCD.
superfriend
October 14th, 2017 3:36pm
There are multiple types of OCD, people look at this disorder as if it's being organized and clean. That isn't correct and people shouldn't stereotype a mental disorder for that. Look up OCD and learn more about it, look at the symptoms of all the different types.
Anonymous
November 17th, 2017 9:40pm
There are many different types of OCD. I have 3 different types! An Internet search for "types of OCD" will provide you with many of the different types.
skullcandies77
December 1st, 2017 8:42pm
It's not that there are different types of OCDs, but like the symptoms are different for everybody. Hence, the illness manifests differently from individual to individual.
allnaturalUnicorns70
December 8th, 2017 5:10pm
OCD is a complicated condition, which needs to be properly diagnosed by a competent mental health professional. That professional would be best qualified to determine.
wonderous
December 9th, 2017 12:46am
There are many different manifestations of OCD... It can take various "clothes" on. By the way, "stereotypes"? Stereotypes are not neceserrily truth, they are "assumed, and generalised" beliefs based on experiences of majority who spread the word of it ~they are often just one segment of whole picture.
EmRivale
December 21st, 2017 10:27pm
There are many different types of OCD. OCD is based on obsessions and compulsions. The obsessions are the anxiety and the compulsions are to relieve the anxiety. For example, cleaning the toilet because you worry it will make you feel dirty. Feeling dirty is the anxiety, cleaning it is the removal of the anxiety. The stereotypes are very common, however there are hundreds of forms of OCD, ranging from milder things to much more life-changing things. Make sure you speak to a therapist if you feel your OCD is getting in the way of your every day life, and remember nothing is abnormal.
trinitysmile12
December 28th, 2017 2:30am
There are MANY types of OCD. They are all unique to the person, and differ drastically. The most commonly known types are ones that focus around germs, symmetry, and counting. Some other types of OCD or manifestations of it are bodily focused repetitive behaviors (bfrb), getting severely intrusive and distressing thoughts, such and violent or sexual images that pop into one's head, and hoarding.
ppeachess
January 11th, 2018 12:35am
Stereotypes are called stereotypes for a reason: they're not the only way to be. There are different types of OCD, like Pure-O and POCD and the like, but you don't necessarily have a specific kind just because you don't fit the stereotype. Your OCD, no matter your symptoms, is valid.
Pugcanisegosum
February 9th, 2018 1:26am
OCD can be anything that you obsess over it could be your favorite color to the way you clean someone or a certain way you like to put on your shoes. OCD is obsessive compulsive disorder meaning you extremely obsess over your thoughts or things you do.
recoveringlistener
February 11th, 2018 9:48pm
For sure! OCD at its simplest form is intrusive thoughts followed by compulsive actions. That's it. Your OCD is valid.
Anonymous
February 18th, 2018 10:37pm
Yes! A lot of people seem to think OCD is just obsessing with cleanliness or order, but actually OCD does come in many different forms.
BlueMorpho2026
March 5th, 2018 7:07pm
Yes, and there is perceccionism too, that is a variation of OCD. Maybe you should do some research to see if it fits for you :)
Lifepsychologist
March 8th, 2018 4:14pm
every OCD case is different than others , if you see one case of OCD , you actually saw only "one case" of OCD
MistyMagic
March 10th, 2018 7:20pm
From my experience OCD is very personal and reflects the person. The the compulsive behaviour is very individual although lots of people use the same variations; it may be handwashing over and over or turning a light on and off, or perhaps everything has to be in a line or the bottles have to be straight, or perhaps you have a collection of items that have to be in a certain position. It is individual as you are an individual. And please don't think that you are a stereotype, you are special, you are an individual.
Indieair
March 19th, 2018 8:04pm
Obsessive compulsive disorder can appear in many, many various ways, and it is different for everybody. It is not only about washing your hands two times or organising clothes in color order as you see it in movies. It can be related with the fear of germs or getting dirty, but every person has different symptoms. Sometimes the 'Obsessive' part is more powerful than the 'Compulsive' part, so you don't necessary have to act these things out to have OCD. In some cases it happens in your thought, for example counting over and over again or planning your day minute by minute. Don't worry if your symptomps aren't like others'. Mental illnesses affect people differently, so there is no reason to be ashamed :)
YellowSunshine14
April 2nd, 2018 10:11am
Yes yes yes! There are so many different forms of OCD. Some people's OCD is harm related, others is directed towards sexual abuse and others is more compulsive than obsessive and the other way around.
QueerChristianTeen2004
April 12th, 2018 3:21pm
Yes. I have OCD and I don't clean things or do a lot of stereotypical things. Have you been diagnosed by a doctor? You shouldn't self diagnose
izaya
April 20th, 2018 11:13pm
There are many varieties of OCD and symptoms shown by patients diagnosed with it. While one person may have obsessive behaviors in scrubbing their hands clean after touching something, another person may have obsessive behaviors with particular thought patterns or intrusive thoughts.
Joe4stressfree
April 21st, 2018 4:25pm
Yes there are many many different types of ocd . Your not alone and many people suffer from various types of ocd.
EliAmethyst
May 6th, 2018 12:17pm
Yes, there are many different types of OCD! There is contamination, religious, checking and intrusive thought just to name a few. Stereotypes aren't very representative of OCD (:
CursesAndMagic
May 18th, 2018 1:30am
Everybody is different so symptoms of anything will be different from person to person. There are no set guidelines for any mental health condition. There are many different types of OCD which present in different ways.
Melissame
May 26th, 2018 7:53pm
There are many types of OCD. Cleaning is one of the biggest stereotypes but in fact OCD is an obsession and a compulsion. For example it could be obsessing over a bad thought such as 'my family will die if i dont touch the floor', starting the compulsion (to touch the floor. This is still only a small section of OCD. Do some research or look on the 7cups website about OCD.