Many people associate OCD with keeping things in perfect order or clean. Though OCD can be this, OCD can appear in many different ways.

OCD is often described as "the doubting disorder" because it causes us to question our own judgment, intentions, and memory. The doubt is disturbing because it constantly reminds us of uncertainty, and keeps us focused on the possibility of something awful happening.

OCD is often centered around a "core fear." OCD urges us to take action to make sure this core fear doesn't actually happen. We can spend a significant amount of time engaging in repetitive actions, rituals, or mental activities in an attempt to obtain certainty, resolve doubt, and ultimately protect ourselves from the "core fear."

Common OCD Themes:

• Relationships
  • Fear of choosing the wrong partner
• Responsibility and Harm
  • Fear of accidentally doing something or forgetting something that causes harm to someone  (for example, becoming violent, forgetting to turn off the stove, getting others sick)
  • Fear of losing control and harming someone else intentionally.
• Suicidal
  • Fear of being or becoming suicidal
• Contamination
  • Fear of germs, dirt, or contamination
• Religious or Moral Obsessions
  • Fear of committing a sin, acting against one's morals or religious beliefs, and fear of being a bad person.
• Sexual Orientation 
  • Doubting your sexual orientation and fear of living a lie.