When many people think of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, usually they associate it with being organized, cleanliness, and symmetry. But OCD is so much more than that. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder also known as OCD, is a disorder when someone has recurring and uncontrollable thoughts (these are called obsessions) and behaviors (these are called compulsions). People with OCD have the urge and impulse to perform these compulsions repetitively. Now, OCD comes in many subtypes and many are often overlooked.

There are several subtypes but the 5 main ones are contamination, hoarding, symmetry obsessions, obsessions without visible compulsions, and checking compulsions. Contamination OCD is when one feels discomfort with contamination and this can lead to excessive hand-washing, excessive bathing, and avoiding touching things due to fear of contamination. Hoarding OCD is when one collects items that have little to no value in excess and this causes the fear of losing items that they believe can be useful one day. Symmetry OCD is the need to arrange items in a certain order whether it be by color, size, texture, etc. Obsessions without visible compulsions are intrusive thoughts that can involve religion, sexuality, and/or hostile subjects. Finally, checking compulsions is the need to check certain things or else you think something bad will happen such as making sure the stove is off and checking it is off repeatedly.

All these subtypes can be a burden to those who experience it and often cause depression and intense anxiety. While OCD is not curable, there are ways to manage it such as therapy, medication, and talking to someone for reassurance.