Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this health and wellness feature where we are delving into 10 Types of OCD Compulsions.
OCD, also known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, has a strong impact on a person’s life. They have a strong, subjective drive to perform a specific action and not doing so can generate large amounts of stress. OCD is typically diagnosed in children from a young age, but it can also present in adults later on in life. Here are ten of the most common OCDs that most adults have.
10 Types of OCD Compulsions: Are You Guilty of These?
1. Cleaning and Washing
One of the most common types of OCD in adults is cleaning and washing. The individual has to make sure that everything is clean.
It could include washing and disinfecting surfaces or washing their hands excessively.
2. Trying To Remember A Specific Event in the Past
A person may need the mental reassurance of trying to remember a specific event, whether from the same day or from years ago. The obsession lies with the individual thinking that they may have acted inappropriately in that situation.
3. Avoidance Of Specific Circumstances
A person may want to avoid a person, place, or situation so that they don’t have an OCD thought. The obsession could be that the person fears that they might hurt someone or fear that a location is contaminated.
4. Avoiding Knives And Other Sharp Instruments
A person may avoid being near or touching knives or sharp objects, out of the fear that they might inadvertently stab someone or themselves.
5. Arranging Items In A Specific Way
A person may obsessively check to see if certain items are arranged just right or have to spend a lot of time arranging them properly. They may feel something bad might happen if these items are not in the proper order and alignment.
6. Speaking Certain Words Out Loud
Some individuals might say specific words out loud in response to other spoken words as a form of neutralizing their own fears.
7. Checking Specific Items
A person may be afflicted with checking every switch, door handle, and lock around their home to make sure that they’re in working order and latched properly. This comes from the fear that they might experience a fire or a break-in.
8. Hoarding
This is the obsessive collection of items that a person doesn’t need. An individual believes that they might be discarding something important or something bad might happen if the items are discarded.
9. Performing Mental Rituals
These rituals involve actions like counting, which are done to neutralize a specific obsessive thought. The person fears that if they don’t engage in this mental ritual, something disastrous will happen.
10. Hair Pulling
Also known as trichotillomania, hair pulling is a common OCD found in adults. It can involve hair on the head, eyebrows, eyelashes, or hair anywhere on the body. Pulling hair provides a sense of relief.
Final words about 10 Types of OCD Compulsions: Are You Guilty of These?
If you feel that you experience any of the types of OCD mentioned above, it would be a good idea to speak with a mental health professional. Obsessive-compulsive disorder can be difficult to deal with alone, so it’s good to have a support system to help you keep your compulsions under control.
I hope you found this feature about 10 Types of OCD Compulsions helpful and have a look here for more of our health and wellness features.
I will be back soon with more style, lifestyle and travel inspiration and don’t forget to subscribe to the blog below to make sure you never miss a post,
With love,
