What Are the 4 Main Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

What Are the 4 Main Types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Medically reviewed by Kathleen Daly, MDMaskot / Getty ImagesObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) occurs when obsessions (persistent, unwanted thoughts) trigger anxiety, causing you to repeatedly engage in compulsions (specific behaviors) to find relief. These cycles can consume your day and detract from your quality of life.OCD has four main subtypes, though you may experience symptoms from multiple types or have symptoms that don't match any typ…

Getty ImagesIn our world, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is still widely misunderstood. You may have heard someone say, often in English, “I’m so OCD,” after adjusting a crooked painting on the wall, for example, or to demonstrate their fixation on detail, symmetry, or home order. At first glance, it may seem harmless, perhaps even funny…