Symptoms and Types of OCD

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is a very complex mental ailment that affects millions of people all over the world. It is so complex that there are actually many types of OCD. Here are the most common types:

Checkers. As the name implies, these are people who feel the need to constantly and incessantly check on things like locks, stove, switches, etc. They do so out of fear that should they fail to check and recheck these things, they will be harmed in one way or another. In other words, they live with that constant and never-ending irrational fear that tragedy is always out there, like a conscious and unseen being, waiting for the right opportunity to pounce at him should he not take the necessary precautions. Checkers, because of these repetitive behaviour, have actually developed an elaborate ritual in carrying out their tasks, which, in turn, makes the completion of their other normal tasks incredibly difficult. But, despite the difficulties, they have to do what they are doing because they picture in their minds horrible and catastrophic things which can and will unfold the moment tragedy strikes.

Washers and Cleaners. This is perhaps the most common of the types of OCD. Washers and cleaners are people who have irrational fear of germs, diseases, and contamination. They avoid as much as possible contact with the outside world because they picture it as a place where there are multitudes of microorganisms all of which are capable of bringing devastating consequences to the body of the individual. In other words, everything outside has that crippling potential to contaminate and eventually destroy him. As such, he avoids contamination by constant and unceasing washing of hands, feet, and of course, his whole body several times in a single day in order to ensure cleanliness. He will also resort to cleaning the house and all his things in order to make sure that the germs does not contaminate any of his prized belongings.

Orderers. These are not referring to people who order out food in restaurants or any other business inclinations. In OCD, orderers is the category given to OCD patients who are focused on arranging things in the perfect arrangement. They want balance, they do not want arrangements that involve innovation. They prefer equilibrium because this equilibrium will also determine the balance in one’s life. If someone pushes the furniture that he has arranged, he will be stressed and depressed, because for him, there is an imbalance, and that he cannot continue to work while the imbalance is there.

Obsessionals. Of the types of OCD, this is probably the most difficult for the affected person. Obsessionals are persons who experience horrific and disturbing thoughts which involve harming others. As such, obsessionals are often seen praying, counting, or even repeating certain words for no particular reason at all. These are done in order to suppress and counteract the disturbing thoughts.

Hoarders. Hoarders are OCD patients who are bent on collecting almost everything they set their eyes on. Most of the time, they collect things which are considered insignificant by others. But in the mind of a compulsive hoarder, these things will eventually be useful sometime in the near future. As such, the home of this person is very, very messy and sometimes smelly as a result of the very massive collection of thousands of useless things.