I think there should be a sticky post with information on how OCD manifests itself. Most posts here seem to be in the style of "does anyone else have X" and the answer is invariably yes.

I don't think it's seeking reassurance and I don't think the answer will always be invariably yes. Ocd has popular themes and information is readily avaliable online but this is a community of people who suffer in similar ways. Asking if someone else experiences a certain thing helps us feel less isolated and alone and let's us know that this is a community and a safe space to share things with ppl who may or may not understand. Ocd is unique to everyone so not everyone will identify with a certain compulsion or theme.

I agree. The question “does anyone else have “insert awful manifestation of ocd” , most of the time this is seeking reassurance even tho I have been guilty of it as well

It is not always reassurance seeking though. Some of us have “non text book” subjects which makes you feel very alone. Those with POCD , ROCD, harm OCD can in a way relate to each other because there are so many posts on these subjects as well as books. Finding someone with a similar “non text book subject” can be helpful in terms of support and things that help specific to that subject.

You guys are right, it’s not always reassurance seeking. I definitely search the internet to make sure I’m not alone in my thinking/ symptoms, and it’s so nice to not feel alone with such a weird mental illness. I think like anything, the internet searching and posting can turn into a compulsion tho

halespineapple18 - Yes, it is all in the intention. The same action can be support or it can be reassurance seeking in the form of a compulsion depending on the feeling or goal behind it. We all know the feeling that goes with a compulsion - that high anxiety with the frantic search to eliminate it....

OCD comes in an almoat infinite variety of types as it is limited only by your imagination, any good therapist or book will tell you this, and many of them are grouped within types. My point is that I haven't yet seen a question here for a novel subtheme, so we could cut at least 80% of those questions with a simple sticky guide, and leave the conversation area for more positive and constructive talk.