Understanding the Different Types of OCD: A Mindful and Compassionate Approach to Healing
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that can significantly disrupt a person’s daily life, often leading to overwhelming distress. It is marked by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety. While OCD is commonly portrayed in popular media as a single, uniform experience, the reality is much more nuanced. In fact, there are several types of OCD that present in different ways, each carrying its own story of fear, control, and the search for safety.
As a therapist who works from the lens of narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), positive psychology, and mindfulness, I believe that every person’s experience with OCD is unique and deserving of compassion, understanding, and a tailored treatment plan. Below are five of the most common types of OCD. My hope is that learning about these forms may help you name your own experience, reduce self-blame, and move toward a story of healing.
1. Checking OCD
This type of OCD often arises from the fear of being careless and causing harm or damage. You may find yourself repeatedly checking appliances, locks, or light switches, fearing that if you do not, something terrible might happen. From a CBT perspective, this cycle reinforces anxiety. From a narrative stance, the underlying story may center around a fear of being irresponsible or unsafe. In therapy, we work together to explore these fears, create space for new stories of competence and trust, and build mindful strategies to reduce compulsions.
2. Contamination OCD
Contamination OCD is rooted in the fear of germs, illness, or feeling unclean. If you find yourself compelled to wash your hands frequently or clean your surroundings excessively, you are not alone. These rituals often serve as attempts to regain a sense of safety and control. Through mindfulness, we learn to tolerate discomfort and uncertainty with compassion. In our work together, I help you gradually unhook from fearful thoughts while cultivating a sense of inner calm and resilience.
3. Intrusive Thoughts OCD
This form of OCD involves sudden, unwanted thoughts or images that may feel disturbing or violent. These thoughts do not reflect your values or intentions, yet they can cause significant shame and distress. Narrative therapy helps separate you from the problem—these thoughts are not who you are. In therapy, I guide you through the process of reclaiming your identity and using CBT tools to address the thought patterns without reinforcing them through avoidance or reassurance-seeking.
4. Organization OCD
For some, the desire for symmetry, order, or precision becomes an overwhelming need. You might feel compelled to arrange items perfectly or experience discomfort if things are not “just right.” While this may seem harmless on the surface, it can become exhausting and time-consuming. Together, we explore the beliefs that drive these behaviors, often tied to the idea that order creates emotional safety. Using mindfulness and positive psychology, I help you develop new ways of relating to imperfection with acceptance and flexibility.
5. Ruminations OCD
Rumination involves getting mentally stuck on certain ideas, often abstract or philosophical in nature. These thoughts may not be distressing in themselves, but the urge to continue thinking about them can interfere with your ability to be present or attend to responsibilities. In our sessions, I support you in noticing these loops and practicing mental flexibility. We use CBT strategies to gently shift your attention and narrative practices to uncover what these ruminations may be trying to resolve on a deeper level.
Does Any of This Sound Familiar?
If any of the experiences above resonate with you, I want to assure you that help is available, and healing is possible. OCD is not a reflection of your character, but rather a condition that can be treated with care, skill, and evidence-based interventions.
I invite you to reach out to me so we can begin exploring your story together. In our work, we will identify the patterns that are keeping you stuck, develop new tools for change, and help you reclaim the parts of your life that OCD has taken hold of. You deserve support that sees you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.
Contact me today to schedule a therapy appointment at a time that works for you. I am here to walk with you on your path to clarity, confidence, and peace.
