Just as how there are different types of anxiety, there are also different types of obsessive-compulsive disorder. When many people think of someone with obsessive-compulsive disorder, they imagine someone turning a light switch on and off repeatedly. While this can be one symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, there is much more to the condition than this type of thing. You can learn about some of the different types and various symptoms of the obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) by reviewing the information below that goes over them.
Some of the types of OCD
A few of the types of OCD that people suffer from include checking, decontamination, and ordering. Each type of OCD comes with its own symptoms. However, just like other types of mental illness, there are symptoms that can cross over, and it doesn't mean that the person has two different things going on, it just means that they have some things occurring that can be found in one or more types of OCD. Here are some of the signs that come with the different types of OCD.
Checking
The need to check something more than once, and in fact many times over in most cases, is a common symptom in someone with OCD. Each person who has the 'checking' impulses will have their own to deal with. While some people will have similarities, they will also have differences. For example, two people may check the stove burners several times every time they go in the kitchen, but only one of them may feel the need to flick the light switch off and on several times before leaving the kitchen. Some of the more common things that people tend to feel the need to 'check' include things like doorknobs, appliance switches, light switches, water faucets, wallet location, closed doors including fridge and interior doors, location of things like shoes, and more.
Decontamination
Another type of OCD that people can suffer with is the type that makes them feel like they are dirty or contaminated under certain circumstances. Some people will have this mildly while others can have it to severe degrees. Some people may feel the need to wash their hands after they touch known dirty surfaces each time, and other people will have it to the degree of wearing gloves in public and never leaving the house without a face mask.
Ordering
Another one of the types of OCD is one that has to do with ordering things. The symptoms of ordering can have to do with making sure books on a bookshelf are all in alphabetical order. Also, it isn't uncommon for the person to have to touch the books a certain number of times, possibly even when counting repeatedly, before they finally feel things are in order.
Conclusion
If you feel that you may have OCD and you think it is getting in the way of your quality of life, your relationships, or even your job, then you should seek help. OCD therapy can help you to take control of your life and learn methods of dealing with things that will be extremely helpful.
