Involves repeated checking behaviors to prevent perceived dangers or harm. Common checks include locks, appliances, and safety equipment.

Characterized by an intense fear of germs, dirt, or contamination. Individuals may excessively wash hands, clean surfaces, or avoid situations perceived as dirty.

Fear of being contaminated by negative emotions or thoughts from others or oneself, leading to avoidance or ritualistic behaviors to 'cleanse' these emotions.

 Intense fear of vomiting or seeing others vomit. Individuals may avoid certain foods, places, or situations where vomiting might occur.

Obsessive questioning about the meaning of life, existence, and reality, leading to distress and compulsive seeking of answers.

Obsessive fear of having committed an unremembered harmful act, leading to distress and compulsive checking of memories.

Fear of causing harm to oneself or others, either intentionally or accidentally, leading to compulsive behaviors to prevent harm.

Excessive worry about having or developing serious health conditions, leading to frequent medical checks and reassurance-seeking.

Involves unwanted, distressing thoughts or mental images, often of a violent, sexual, or blasphemous nature. Compulsions may include mental rituals or avoidance.

The need for things to feel 'just right' or done in a specific way, leading to repetitive behaviors and rituals to achieve this feeling.

Belief that certain thoughts or actions can cause or prevent unrelated events, leading to ritualistic behaviors.

Obsessions and compulsions related to the well-being of a baby, occurring during pregnancy or after childbirth.

Characterized by obsessive thoughts without visible compulsions. Individuals may engage in mental rituals or reassurance-seeking.

Obsessive doubts and fears about the quality or nature of relationships, leading to compulsive reassurance-seeking and checking behaviors.

Obsessive concern with religious, moral, or ethical issues, leading to excessive confession, prayer, or ritualistic behaviors to alleviate guilt.

Obsessive focus on bodily sensations or processes, such as breathing, blinking, or swallowing, leading to heightened awareness and distress.

Disturbing sexual thoughts or images, often involving inappropriate or taboo subjects, leading to significant distress and avoidance behaviors.

Obsessive fear about one's sexual orientation, often with intrusive thoughts and doubts about your sexual orientation.

Obsession with symmetry, order, and exactness. Compulsions include arranging items in a specific way or ensuring objects are aligned perfectly.

Anxiety is a persistent feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors. It often involves an exaggerated response to perceived threats or fears, leading to physical symptoms such as increased heart rate, sweating, and trembling.

Steering clear of situations, places, or objects that trigger obsessions or compulsions.

Repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed in response to obsessions or according to rigid rules. Compulsions are aimed at reducing anxiety or preventing a feared event.

Persistent feelings of doubt and uncertainty about everyday actions and decisions, often leading to repetitive checking or reassurance-seeking.

Guilt is an emotional experience arising from obsessive thoughts about having violated a moral standard or committed a wrongdoing. This guilt often leads to compulsive behaviors aimed at alleviating the remorse and regret associated with these thoughts.

Excessive sense of responsibility for preventing harm or making sure everything is 'right.'

Recurrent, persistent, and unwanted thoughts, urges, or images that cause significant anxiety or distress.

The need for things to be perfect or done in a particular way, often leading to significant distress and time-consuming rituals.

Shame is a painful feeling resulting from the awareness of one's obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, which are perceived as dishonorable or improper. This shame often leads to a sense of worthlessness and fear of being negatively judged by others.

Worry is a state of anxiety and uncertainty about obsessive thoughts and potential outcomes of not performing compulsive behaviors. Fear is an emotional response to these obsessive thoughts and the perceived danger or harm that may result from not engaging in compulsions, leading to a fight-or-flight reaction.

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that involves exposing individuals to their fears and preventing the usual compulsive response.

A form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing unhelpful cognitive distortions and behaviors, improving emotional regulation, and developing personal coping strategies.

A form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps individuals accept their thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty for them. ACT encourages patients to embrace their thoughts and emotions as they come, promoting psychological flexibility. The therapy focuses on six core principles: cognitive defusion, acceptance, contact with the present moment, observing the self, values, and committed action.

A therapeutic approach that incorporates mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, to help individuals focus on the present moment. This therapy aims to reduce stress and anxiety by promoting a non-judgmental awareness of thoughts and feelings.

A specific type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on addressing inferential confusion, a cognitive distortion where individuals misinterpret reality based on intrusive thoughts. ICBT helps patients differentiate between what is imagined and what is real, reducing the power of obsessive thoughts.

A type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that emphasizes balancing acceptance and change. DBT incorporates strategies like mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, it has been adapted for other mental health conditions, including OCD.

Stands for Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions, an evidence-based parenting program to aid parents of children and adolescents with anxiety, OCD, and related issues.

An anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic-like symptoms occur. This fear often leads to avoidance of public places and open spaces.

Actions taken to avoid situations or triggers that provoke obsessions or compulsions, often leading to significant life limitations.

A mental health disorder in which individuals are preoccupied with perceived defects or flaws in their physical appearance, which are often unnoticeable to others. This preoccupation can lead to significant distress and impairment.

A group of disorders characterized by repetitive self-grooming behaviors, such as hair pulling (trichotillomania), skin picking (dermatillomania), or nail biting, that result in damage to the body.

Compulsive counting of objects, actions, or events to alleviate anxiety or achieve a sense of order.

Disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits, which negatively impact physical and mental health. Common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder.

A mental health disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about everyday things. Individuals with GAD often anticipate disaster and may be overly concerned about health, money, family, work, or other issues.

Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. Hoarding often leads to cluttered living spaces.

Pharmacological treatments often include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to help manage OCD symptoms.

A condition in which individuals have strong, negative emotional reactions to specific sounds, such as chewing, tapping, or breathing. The reactions can include anger, annoyance, or anxiety.

The repetitive cycle of obsessions, anxiety, compulsions, and temporary relief that characterizes OCD. Each part of the cycle reinforces the other, making it difficult to break.

A type of anxiety disorder marked by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, which are sudden periods of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes. Symptoms may include heart palpitations, sweating, trembling, and feelings of impending doom.

Compulsively seeking affirmation from others or oneself to alleviate doubt or anxiety related to obsessions.

Rumination is a pattern of repetitive and persistent thinking about distressing topics, often involving obsessive consideration of problems, worries, or past events. It is characterized by an inability to let go of negative thoughts, which can exacerbate anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

An anxiety disorder characterized by excessive fear or anxiety about separation from home or attachment figures. It is commonly seen in children but can also affect adults.

A chronic mental health condition characterized by an intense, persistent fear of being watched and judged by others. This fear can interfere with daily activities, such as work, school, and relationships.

Intense, irrational fears of specific objects, situations, or activities that pose little to no actual danger. Common phobias include fear of heights (acrophobia), spiders (arachnophobia), and flying (aviophobia).

Compulsive behaviors that may involve tapping objects or oneself a specific number of times to prevent perceived negative outcomes.

A neurological disorder characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. These tics can be motor (e.g., blinking, jerking) or vocal (e.g., grunting, shouting).