Common OCD Themes
OCD can show up in so many different ways. There are truly more OCD themes than I could ever list. If your particular fear or obsession feels “weird” or like something you’ve never heard anyone else talk about, you’re not alone. That experience is actually incredibly common. One of the things that makes OCD so challenging is how it latches onto the things you care about most — your values, your relationships, your sense of safety. That’s how it gets your attention and why it can feel so distressing.
Another tough part about OCD is that it can shift over time. You might notice that something that used to bother you doesn’t anymore — or maybe it’s morphed into a new fear. For example, maybe you used to worry that when you hit a bump while driving, you had accidentally run someone over — and you’d stop to check or search the news for hit-and-runs. Then over time, that fear might shift into obsessing over whether you could purposely harm someone, or whether you’re seeing clearly enough to drive safely at all. That’s how OCD can evolve — jumping from one fear to the next, always targeting what matters to you.
The good news is that OCD therapy in MA & CA can help. You can learn tools to manage these intrusive thoughts and build trust in yourself again — so OCD doesn’t get to be the loudest voice in the room.
I’ve listed a few of the more common OCD themes below to help you get a sense of what OCD can look like. Click here if you want to learn more about relationship OCD and other ways OCD can affect your relationships and social life.
What is Harm OCD?
Harm OCD can feel like your brain is stuck on the scariest "what if" loop. You might have repetitive 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, and other loved ones.
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. As an OCD and anxiety therapist, I help people make sense of these kinds of fears so they feel less overwhelming and easier to navigate. Click the button below to schedule a free intro call and learn more.
What is Moral OCD?
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 accepting uncertainty. And that’s exactly what we’ll work toward together.
More OCD Sub Types
Contamination OCD is another common OCD sub type. 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 and learn more about specialized OCD therapy services.
Find Support for Common OCD Themes in MA & CA
Living with OCD can feel overwhelming, especially when recurring themes like contamination fears, checking rituals, intrusive thoughts, or perfectionism seem to take over daily life. You don’t have to keep navigating these challenges alone. With compassionate OCD therapy, it’s possible to understand these patterns, reduce their impact, and reclaim your sense of peace and control.
Here’s how to get started with support for common OCD themes in Boston, MA:
Schedule a free consultation to talk through the specific OCD themes you’ve been experiencing and learn how therapy can help.
Book your first OCD therapy session and begin working on strategies tailored to your unique struggles and goals.
Start building a healthier relationship with your thoughts, developing tools to manage symptoms and live with greater freedom and confidence.
Additional Services Offered
While this page focuses on common OCD themes in Boston, MA, I also provide other resources and therapy support to address the broader impact OCD can have. Beyond identifying and normalizing recurring thought patterns and compulsions, I offer guidance on OCD and Social Life, sharing strategies for navigating friendships, dating, and relationships while managing anxiety and intrusive thoughts. These services are meant to work alongside individual OCD therapy, giving you deeper insight and practical tools to support healing both inside and outside of sessions.
