OCD symptoms

OCD symptoms: Obsessive thoughts

To learn more about Obsessive Compulsive disorder please see here.

Common obsessive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include:

1. Fear of being contaminated by germs or dirt or contaminating others.
2. Fear of causing harm to yourself or others.
3. Intrusive sexually explicit or violent thoughts and images.
4. Excessive focus on religious or moral ideas.
5. Fear of losing or not having things you might need.
6. Order and symmetry: the idea that everything must line up “just right.”
7. Superstitions; excessive attention to something considered lucky or unlucky.

OCD symptoms: Compulsive behaviors

Common compulsive behaviors in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) include:

1. Excessive double-checking of things, such as locks, appliances, and switches.
2. Repeatedly checking in on loved ones to make sure they’re safe.
3. Counting, tapping, repeating certain words, or doing other senseless things to reduce anxiety.
4. Spending a lot of time washing or cleaning.
5. Ordering or arranging things “just so.”
6. Praying excessively or engaging in rituals triggered by religious fear.
7. Accumulating “junk” such as old newspapers or empty food containers.