The Many Faces of OCD: A Personal Guide from Lived Experience

Many people misunderstand obsessive–compulsive disorder as simply being tidy or repetitive, but it’s far more complex. This post explores how OCD can attach itself to what matters most to us — from love and faith to identity and safety — creating intrusive thoughts and fears that feel real but aren’t. A heartfelt, personal look at OCD from lived experience, offering comfort, clarity, and hope.

By the original author. If you see this exact text anywhere else, it has been copied from my work. This article first appeared on the Google app “NOCD” where it gained significant attention.

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Introduction

Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a complex mental health condition. It involves recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to reduce anxiety.

I have lived with OCD myself. Below I outline many of the themes that people with OCD may experience. I hope that by sharing this list, at least one person will feel less alone and less like a “weirdo.”

(Please note: this article is for awareness and education only. It does not substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.)

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What Is OCD?

OCD is not simply “liking things neat” or “checking twice.” It is an intrusive thought, image or urge that causes distress, combined with a mental or physical act performed to neutralise or prevent harm.

Examples include:

• Mentally checking to ensure you haven’t harmed someone, committed a crime, or offended someone.
• Repeatedly checking that appliances are off, doors are locked, or family members are safe.
• Checking your body for unwanted physical sensations in response to intrusive sexual or violent thoughts.

These thoughts can make you question your identity and your values. You may have urges you find disgusting or horrific. OCD latches onto whatever matters most to you — often the things that could “ruin” your life.

Even seemingly “kind” obsessions (such as “If I don’t tap the candle someone will die”) can create unbearable pressure.

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When and How OCD Is Triggered

OCD is often triggered by people or animals you care about — because the last thing you want is to harm them. It can also centre on objects or situations of importance. In every case, the obsession is unwanted. The more graphic or grim the content, the more it tends to stick.

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Common Themes of OCD

Below is a non-exhaustive list of OCD themes. Many people experience more than one at a time. The list is written from a lived-experience perspective:

Harm and Crime-Related OCD

• Pedophilia OCD – Fear of being, having been, or being seen as a pedophile.
• Crime OCD – Fear of having committed crimes such as murder, fraud, rape, theft, etc.
• Animal OCD – Fear of harming or being sexual with animals or of others doing so.

Sexual/Intrusive Response OCD

• Groinal Response OCD – Unwanted sexual arousal in response to intrusive thoughts.
• Sexuality OCD – Fear of being, becoming, or being seen as a sexuality you don’t identify with.
• Incest OCD – Fear of incestuous thoughts or others thinking you have them.
• Transgender OCD – Fear of becoming transgender or being perceived as transgender.

“Pure O” and Thought-Based OCD

• Pure O – Purely obsessional thoughts with little or no outward compulsion.
• False Memory OCD – Believing you’ve done something terrible when you haven’t.
• Mind Reading OCD – Fear that you can read minds or others can read yours.
• Magical OCD – Belief that words, phrases or actions can cause terrible events.
• Typing/Speaking OCD – Fear you’ll type or say intrusive thoughts.

Contamination, Checking and Control

• Contamination OCD – Fear of contaminating yourself or others, even with unlikely substances like poison.
• Checking OCD – Repeatedly ensuring doors, stoves, or machinery are safe.
• Just Right OCD – Needing things to feel “perfect” or “complete” to avoid harm.

Relationship and Social Themes

• Relationship OCD – Fear you or your partner no longer love each other.
• Cheating OCD – Fear you’ve cheated or your partner has.
• Social Anxiety / Acting OCD – Fear of blushing, panicking, or appearing odd.

Religious and Supernatural Themes

• Religious OCD – Fear of offending your faith or others’ faith.
• Possession OCD – Fear of demonic possession or being perceived as possessed.

Appearance and Body-Related Themes

• Body Image OCD – Worries about being ugly, smelly, abnormal, or deformed.
• Appearance Change OCD – Constantly changing appearance or focusing on one imperfection.
• Trichotillomania OCD – Compulsive hair-pulling.
• Health OCD – Fears of multiple illnesses.
• Sleep OCD – Fear of sleeping too much or never sleeping again.

Other Themes

• Age OCD – Obsessions related to ages and IDs.
• Suicide OCD – Fear you’ll harm yourself against your will.
• Death / “Dead” OCD – Fear you or others are dead or perceived as dead.
• Hoarding OCD – Keeping items “just in case.”
• Correct OCD – Needing to ensure everything said is 100% correct.
• Fake OCD – Fear you’re faking OCD.
• False Confession OCD – Fear of confessing to something you didn’t do.
• Repeating/Reassurance OCD – Repeating words or seeking constant reassurance.

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Living With OCD

All of these obsessions can make you doubt who you are or what the world is capable of. They’re not pleasant. They’re not a choice. They’re an illness.

The worst-case scenarios your mind presents (prison, losing your family, death penalty) are part of the disorder. The truth is that the “prison” inside your head can be more painful than any external punishment.

But you are not alone. Many people live with OCD. It is treatable. Support, therapy and sometimes medication can help reduce symptoms.

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Conclusion

This is just a partial list of the endless forms OCD can take. If you recognise yourself in these descriptions, please know you are not strange or evil. You are experiencing a mental health condition.

Stay strong, keep reaching out, and keep sharing your experiences. Every time we speak openly about OCD, we break stigma and bring hope closer to a cure.