OCD can show up in so many different ways—there are truly more themes than I could ever list. If your particular obsession or fear isn’t something you’ve heard others talk about, you’re not alone. That’s actually really common. I’ve listed a few of the more well-known OCD themes below to help you get a sense of what OCD can look like.

Harm OCD can feel like your brain is stuck on the scariest "what if" loop. You might have intrusive thoughts like, What if I hurt someone I love? What if I snap and do something violent? What if I lose control and hurt myself or someone else?

These thoughts freak you out because they go against everything you believe in. But that’s exactly why it feels so upsetting and hard to shake. You might start avoiding sharp objects, skipping shows or podcasts about true crime, or being overly cautious around kids, pets, or even when driving — just in case.

Sometimes it’s not about avoiding — maybe you’re googling to make sure you’re nothing like people who’ve done bad things, or checking in with yourself constantly to see if you feel dangerous. It’s exhausting, and it can feel really isolating — but you’re not alone, and these thoughts don’t define who you are. In therapy, I help people make sense of these kinds of fears so they feel less overwhelming and easier to navigate. Click the link below to schedule a free intro call and learn more. 

Moral OCD is like having an overactive inner critic that never turns off. You might feel this intense pressure to always do the right thing, be totally honest, super responsible, and just generally be a “good” person — all the time.

It can blend with perfectionism too, where making a mistake or the “wrong” choice feels like a huge deal. Even small decisions can feel paralyzing, because what if you choose wrong? What if you weren’t completely truthful? What if you accidentally hurt someone without realizing it?

You might find yourself over-explaining things just to make sure you're being 100% honest, confessing every little thought or action to your partner or friends, or constantly reviewing past conversations or decisions to check if you messed up somehow.

You care so much about not being a bad person, and your brain is stuck in a loop trying to get that reassurance. But true peace doesn’t come from checking or confessing—it comes from learning to trust yourself. And that’s exactly what we’ll work toward together.

Contamination OCD isn’t just about germs — it’s about the fear that something, whether physical or emotional, could cause harm to you or someone else. That might look like fear of getting sick from touching something “unsafe,” spreading illness, or coming into contact with things like chemicals, bodily fluids, or anything that feels dirty, dangerous, or disgusting.

Sometimes the fear is more emotional or even spiritual — like the idea that touching something “bad” might somehow rub off on you, bring bad luck, or make you feel wrong inside.

You might find yourself washing or sanitizing way more than feels reasonable, avoiding public spaces or objects like doorknobs or railings, or creating specific hygiene routines that have to be done just right to feel okay. You might steer clear of using certain cleaning products or spend a lot of time researching diseases and contacting your doctor— or on the flip side, avoid going to the doctor completely because you’re scared of what they might say.

It can be really exhausting trying to stay “safe” all the time — and even when you know your reaction might be more intense than it needs to be, the fear still feels very real.

I’d love to meet you- click the link below to book your free intro call.