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.
Health and Contamination OCD
Health Concern/Contamination OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) where a person experiences obsessive thoughts around fears of becoming contaminated, contaminating others, or contracting and spreading a disease. These obsessive thoughts drive people to engage in various compulsions aimed at alleviating their anxieties about contamination (e.g., showering for hours or until they feel clean).
If you find yourself obsessively taking COVID tests, even multiple times per week or per day, you’re certainly not alone. Here's what you can do.
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Fear of an unplanned pregnancy, or spreading or contracting an STI, can become all-consuming and negatively impact people's lives in several ways.
By Grant Stoddard
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
There are a couple of reasons why this fear may arise, including phobias and OCD. Learn how ERP therapy can help free you from your fears and anxieties.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
While feeling protective over the health of your pregnancy is entirely understandable, it’s important to take stock of how you’re coping with the fear of miscarriage.
How do you know if your cleaning habits may be OCD? Here are the signs to watch out for—and how to get help.
By Jessica Migala
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Learn about the differences between OCD, Agoraphobia, and Specific Phobias that can cause a fear of leaving the home and how they can be treated.
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Strong, persistent fears about infertility, worrying about becoming pregnant and/or making a partner pregnant may be a sign of OCD.
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Someone experiencing fear of drug overdose in OCD may worry about dying from ingesting, inhaling, coming into contact with harmful substances
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Fear of concussions in OCD involves recurrent, persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts related to head trauma/concussion.
Fear of spit in OCD involves repetitive contamination fears and worry about contracting illness by coming into contact with saliva or spit.