This is a popular question, in part because the concept of OCD subtypes is so widespread. So let’s start here. While it’s clear that certain clusters of obsessions and compulsions are especially common, and that this recognition can help people feel less alone in their experience, identifying a “type” isn’t very useful for treatment. Everyone with OCD has the same basic symptoms—obsessions and compulsions that impact functioning—and that’s what we treat. That being said, some symptoms might be more difficult to treat. Exposure and response prevention (ERP), the most effective type of therapy for OCD, requires people to put themselves in situations that provoke their obsessions. This may be more difficult when our exposure is going to the doctor’s office, for example, than when it’s writing out ten reasons we’re not a good person and reading them aloud. Certain compulsions can also be more difficult to spot. Mental compulsions happen inside our heads. Besides being invisible to other people, they can also be more to identify in ourselves. But the fact is that, even if we think in terms of subtypes, there isn’t really one or another that’s necessarily more difficult to treat. It depends on the individual, the nature of their obsessions, and their ability to become aware of their own compulsions. No matter what, working with an OCD-trained therapist will help you to identify achievable exposures no matter the obsession; they’ll also help you understand your own compulsions and come up with personalized response prevention strategies.

How do you distinguish OCD thoughts from non-OCD ones?

I learned that my hoarding behaviours are OCD related and I never really labelled it before and I had a good hour convo with my therapist that I see"speak to" every two weeks. My problem is letting go. I see value in everything and I hate waste. But I have been labeled a certified environmentalist... I think more certifiable.. I plan on moving in the end of June and feel really good about moving and packing and purging.

Can I ask for my daughter how you personally would treat a 13 year old whose triggers are bogies, snot basically anyone touching near their nose or their nose - not picking it maybe an itch on the nose or by eye, thinking she hears sniffing and noises in the throat which makes her think some one has nose breathed, me and her dad standing Close to her for fear of nose breathing the contamination factor incase we have touched our noses etc, she has started doing bits of ERP but now needs to move forward with sounds and actual bodily stuff she doesn’t like but she says way from this ERP- just wondered if I had any advise- if any of us so actually itch / touch nose or sometimes Haven’t it maybe our heads she literally hates us - many thanks

Ted, are you still answering questions??

Does hocd thaughts be true in future

My Mother is suffering from OCD from last 30 years medicines did not worked at all.its of contamination OCD problem.Now a days it’s becoming worse.We don’t know what to do now