My OCD doesn't seem to fit the stereotypes. Are there different types of OCD?

Yes there are multiple versions of OCD. It's just something you do over and over again sometimes. Here are some examples Counting, checking things over and over again, haveing to knock three times. It is just something you do over and over again or your brain will start to panic. Like a couple months ago for me I have OCD with counting and checking everything. I was with my friends and I start to count and one of my friends not knowing away better stop me and I shut down and had a panic attack. That can really happen with any version of OCD

Yes, there are different types of OCD. The 5 types are as follows: Checking, Contamination, Hoarding, Intrusive Thoughts/Ruminations, and Symmetry and Ordering. Most healthcare professionals feel that a persons OCD behaviors will fall into one of these five categories; however, there may also be instances where a person's behaviors overlap into more than one category. Checking is the compulsion to examine or check on items due to fear or worry...locks, possessions, water, etc. Feeling the need to check is usually repetitious and can last hours. Checking can cause serious problems in a person's life by causing them to be late or completely miss important events and scheduled responsibilities. It can also cause damage to the item which is being constantly checked. Contamination is the fear that something is unclean, whether it is the person, objects, or even environments. It causes the person to feel compelled to clean or avoid the "dirty" object or area. It can also be that the individual feels that he/she is contaminated because they have suffered mental/physical/emotional abuse from others and that he/she is somehow dirty or unfit to be treated as a human. Hoarding is an OCD type that involves gathering items out of an irrational fear or worry to be without them when the item might be needed. It is not simply an inability to get rid of useless things. Ruminations are long trains of thought which are without direction and unproductive. The themes may be religious, philosophical, or even metaphysical in nature. They are time-consuming and can preoccupy a person's thoughts for long periods of time, which may become problematic. Intrusive thoughts are repetitive, disturbing and often times terrifying involuntary thoughts or ideas. They might center around sex, death, violence, etc. Intrusive thoughts and ruminations cause the person a great deal of stress often time management issues. Finally, Symmetry/Orderliness issues cause the individual to feel compelled to have things "just right" to prevent discomfort or some imagined disastrous result. Again, this can cause time management issues as well as stress and missed social interactions. The compulsions and behaviors centered around an individual with OCD can by many and as stated before, they can overlap so that no one's OCD will fit into a specified mold.

Absolutely. Everyone’s OCD is different. There are 5 main categories of OCD: Checking. Contamination / Mental Contamination. Symmetry and ordering. Ruminations / Intrusive Thoughts. Hoarding. These are just the most common types. There are many different combinations of these to form OCD. There also varying amounts of the obsessions and compulsions. There can be some people who have very few compulsions and many obsessions, where as many other people have fewer obsessions and more compulsions. The amount of differences in every single person’s OCD is part of what makes it so hard to identify and treat. It is a challenging disorder, but luckily, there are so many people willing to help.

Yes, far too many. No OCD is the same either. My OCD is completely different from stereo types too and it makes me feel a little alone sometimes. But you just have to be strong. You need to remember you are stronger than your OCD. I find that even though OCD that revolves around germs for example is still different between two people. No OCD is the same and it's a spectrum in a way. At the ends, the edges it's differed completely from the norm. It doesn't necessarily mean it's harder to treat though so try stay positive. You can do it!

Yes. Despite what you may see in the media, where OCD may be characterized through constant hand-washing or counting things over and over, there are actually four different types of OCD. The unofficial categories are, according to Healthline, “cleaning and contamination; symmetry and ordering; forbidden, harmful, or taboo thoughts and impulses; [and] hoarding, when the need to collect or keep certain items relates to obsessions or compulsions”. You may be able to relate to one of these four categories, but it’s okay if you don’t. Everyone with OCD, as well as other conditions, has a different experience. The important thing is to find healthy coping mechanisms and check in with yourself to see how you are doing.

OCD's have a wide range, and are contingent on person to person. Just because you behave in a certain manner in a scenario does not mean that someone else with OCD will behave in the same manner. Also, we usually tend to think of OCD behaviour as an obsession to clean due to what we often see in culture - such as TV shows, etc. however OCDs can range to almost anything. As long as your OCD does not harm anyone mentally or physically it is fine, and one should not have to worry about their OCD fitting the stereotypes.

There are many different symptoms of OCD - not everybody has the "classic" things we see on TV. For example, I'm working on overcoming OCD, but you'll never see me open and close the door three times or wash my hands for exactly 7 minutes. The OCD Self-Help Guide here can give you a lot of great information.

Yes! There are many types of OCD. Most often we hear of the more common types (i.e., washing, counting, etc.), but people may have sensorimotor obsessions and others. If you feel that you are having obsessive compulsive thoughts or feelings, consider reaching out to a professional if it is getting in the way of your life.

There are many types of OCD however you may find you have a different personality disorder, that has many symptoms of OCD but often with other symptoms too.

In a way yes, there are different symptoms for ocd. Tv and other media doesn't portray this as well as they should. We hear about some types more than others. (i.e the germaphobe, counting over and over again, etc...)