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Hoarding in the context of OCD involves an intense, persistent struggle to discard possessions, driven by overwhelming fears of needing them later or distress at losing an item’s sentimental value.
This compulsion leads to the accumulation of objects of interest, often creating severely cluttered, unusable living spaces. The resulting piles of objects not only occupy increasing space but also create significant stress, isolation, and safety concerns for the family and loved ones who must navigate the environment daily. We provide specific therapy to address the powerful emotional attachments that fuel this compulsive retention.
Washing and contamination rituals stem from an intense, recurring fear of being dirty, poisoned, or morally contaminated. This fear extends beyond germs and viruses to include worries
about passing or getting an illness, or facing social impurity. The underlying obsession drives compulsive actions, such as excessive hand washing, showering, repeated cleaning of objects, or rigid avoidance of perceived ‘dirty’ items. This time-consuming ritualistic behavior severely disrupts daily routines and relationships, often leading to physical consequences like skin damage or social isolation.
Checking and Counting rituals are compulsive acts performed to reduce the profound distress associated with uncertainty over feared consequences for oneself or
others. These rituals are triggered by various obsessions, including fears of accidental harming, sexual misdeeds, or perfectionism. The sufferer feels compelled to repeatedly check locks, appliances, financial figures, or count items until they feel “right.” The irony is that the compulsion only reinforces the original doubt, creating a perpetual, exhausting cycle of anxiety and time-consuming repetition.
Scrupulosity refers to a debilitating form of OCD in which questions related to morality, ethics, or religious/spiritual matters become the overwhelming focus of obsessive fears and
compulsive, ritualistic behaviors. Sufferers may experience intense, unwanted intrusive thoughts (e.g., blasphemy, fear of sinning, or moral failure) that feel disproportionately important. This leads to a constant need for reassurance and correction. Compulsions can manifest as excessive prayer, repeated confession, rigid adherence to rules, or engaging in endless mental review of past actions to ensure they were ‘pure’ or ‘correct.’ This distressing cycle often results in profound guilt and shame, significantly interfering with daily life and personal spiritual practice.
While striving for high standards can be positive, in the context of OCD, Perfectionism becomes a crippling force. This type of OCD is characterized by an intense, crippling fear of
making a mistake or facing an unacceptable consequence, leading to rituals like excessive reviewing, counting, organizing, or re-doing tasks until they feel ‘just right.’ The relentless pursuit of flawlessness often causes severe functional impairment, resulting in paralyzing indecision and an inability to complete projects on time or at all. Indeed, an element of perfectionism runs throughout almost any other subtype of OCD—from excessive cleaning to repeated checking—making it one of the most common and pervasive traits we treat.
Harming Others: Intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses about harming others either sexually or
violently, be it loved ones or strangers, are common obsessions …. Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): The person in such cases suffer from a preoccupation with assumed defects in appearence. While such defects are often imaginary, if there is a physical anomaly present, then those suffering from BDD will greatly exaggerate its importance.