"Taboo" OCD Subtypes for Your Characters
CW: discussions of harming others, pedophilia, infant death, infant harm, and miscarriages.
Hello! I know a lot of writers want to add representation to their writing and OCD is one of the most underrepresented disorders that's often not portrayed correctly.
I thought making a small list of some of the most untalked about and "taboo" OCD subtypes might be a great learning opportunity!
If your character suffers from guilt, childhood trauma, or a fear of hurting others, then OCD might be a great disorder to incorporate in their character!
What are OCD subtypes?
OCD themes or subtypes are common themes a person's intrusive thoughts and obsessions have.
They aren't used to diagnose since a theme doesn't change the fact that it's OCD and also because themes can change but the OCD cycle doesn't. Plus, not everyone has a theme/subtype, but many do.
Usually a theme is attached to something a person with OCD values more, and so intrusive thoughts and obsessions tend to stick.
When the word obsession is used, it doesn't mean in the way you're obsessed with something you love, but rather being obsessed like you can't stop being anxious and thinking about something that upsets you.
Think of "Obsessively unable to stop thinking about something upsetting that you don't want to think about." and not "Obsessively thinking about something you like."
They're often tied to triggers, like a past even related to that theme, how that theme has showed up in their life or a loved one's life, or simply because it's against their morals and holds a lot of weight in that person's life.
A person with OCD can have multiple subtypes. Subtypes/themes often change, esepcially when they overcome one theme.
Information and Disclaimer About OCD Before Starting
Taboo subtypes are relating to themes where the topic is socially unacceptable, causes harm, or seems odd.
These stray away from subtypes that are less taboo to talk about such as counting OCD, contamination OCD, perfectionism OCD, and health OCD.
Though the most acceptable themes are often not represented well, they still tend to get more acknowledgement and the people suffering may have an easier time seeking treatment compared to a person who suffers from a more taboo theme.
People with OCD experience boat loads of shame, esepcially if their subtype attacks their morality, and so they stay quiet. Society also doesn't know a lot about OCD, so hearing these taboo subtypes be talked about under the lense of OCD goes misunderstoood or shamed.
It's to be disclaimed that OCD is an ego-dystonic disorder, meaning their intrusive thoughts don't align with their character and cause distress. Every person gets intrusive thoughts, but people with OCD have their thoughts stick and that makes them anxious.
When an intrusive thought is mentioned in this discussion, it's the same way you hold a baby and think: "What if I drop this baby?" When you would never hurt a baby.
When an intrusive image is mentioned in this discussion, it's the same way you're cutting vegetables and have an image of cutting your finger and you shiver.
When an intrusive urge is mentioned in this discussion, it's the same you look at a hot stove and get the "urge" to touch it but it makes you cringe and you'd never do it.
Anything intrusive or that's an obsession are not repressed wants or urges.
People with OCD are the least likely people to cause harm because the disorder is so rooted in the fear of hurting oneself or others and they get anxious about that happening somehow, so they try to control every outcome through compulsions.
Once again: People with OCD do not like, agree, or align with their intrusive thoughts! They are unwanted and intrusive! Their obsessions attack what they care about the most. Their worst fear is causing harm because they care so much about their values, themselves, and others!
Harm OCD (HOCD)
Harm OCD is a subtype where a person has obsessions and intrusive thoughts about hurting others or themselves.
A character may develop this type of OCD if:
They grew up in an environment where they or a loved one was abused
May have accidently hurt someone in the past (like pushing a sibling but they accidently caused a serious injury)
They dedicate a lot of time to protecting victims of violence
They have a fear of violence, gore, or injuries
Causing harm to another is at the top of what they consider wrong
Common obsessions and intrusive thoughts:
"What if I accidently drop my knife and it stabs someone?"
An intrusive image of shoving a loved one down the stairs
Having an intrusive "urge" to speed their car when someone is crossing the road
Common compulsions to give a character with HOCD would be:
Avoiding knives (esepcially when others are around)
Walking away if a loved one is by a staircase or anywhere dangerous they could hurt them
Asking for reassurance if they've ever hurt a loved one before
Doing research over signs they secretly are a serial killer
Repeating phrases (if they got an intrusive thought that says, "Say XYZ or it means you want to kill your partner.)
Common struggles your character may have because of their OCD include:
Avoiding outings with friends or loved ones
Have guilt and shame when seeing loved ones
Unable to engage in certain hobbies that involve things they have intrusive thoughts about (cooking, knitting, woodworking, etc.)
Spend a lot of time to get rid of anything dangerous in their house or checking for secret weapons
Pedophile OCD (POCD)
Pedophile OCD is a subtype where a person has obsessions and intrusive thoughts about (sexually) hurting kids or being attracted to them.
A character may develop this type of OCD if:
They grew up in an environment where they or a loved one was sexually abused
Accidently engaged in an activity with a younger person when they were young (if they were 5 and kissed someone who was 3 if they didn't know what was bad at the time)
They work with kids or dedicate their lives to protecting children
They are sex-repulsed, have a fear of hurting kids, or hate people who hurt kids
Harming children is at the top of what they consider wrong
Common obsessions and intrusive thoughts:
"What if I secretly am attracted to kids?"
An intrusive image of children or younger family members in an inappropriate light
Having an intrusive "urge" about touching a child
Common compulsions to give a character with POCD would be:
Avoiding family gatherings, schools, or shows with kids
Checking their body to "make sure" they aren't having a reaction to kids
Asking for reassurance about if they've been inappropriate before
Doing research on signs they're a pedophile
Mentally reviewing if they've ever done something inappropriate in the past relating to kids
Common struggles your character may have because of their OCD include:
Avoiding their kids, family members, or social events
Have guilt and shame when talking to younger family members or their parents (or everyone, really)
Unable to engage in watching shows they usually enjoy, unable to participate in events with kids, unable to go to work if it involves kids, etc.
Spend a lot of time feeling horendously guilty and ashamed
Post-Partum OCD
Post-partum OCD is a subtype where a person has obsessions and intrusive thoughts about hurting their newborn baby.
A character may develop this type of OCD if:
They had a miscarriage in the past
They saw post-partum depression growing up
They had post-partum depression with their past children
They work in fields with babies, people with post-partum, or in mental health fields
Hurting their baby is is at the top of their list of what they consider wrong
Common obsessions and intrusive thoughts:
"What if I accidently drop my baby and they die?"
An intrusive image of shaking their baby
Having an intrusive urge (not a real one) to smother their baby with a pillow
Common compulsions to give a character with post-partum OCD would be:
Avoiding holding their baby or being around their baby
Not bringing their baby in the vacinity of pillows, sharps, or baths
Asking their partner for reassurance on if they think they'd ever hurt their baby
Looking up signs of post-partum or if their baby has an injury (like shaken baby syndrome)
Mentally argue with the intrusive thought to disprove they'd never hurt their baby
Common struggles your character may have because of their OCD include:
Avoiding their baby or family
Have guilt and shame when holding but also avoiding their baby
Unable to engage in playtime, bath time, important bonding activities and memory making
Spend a lot of time making sure they are a safe person and that their baby is safe instead of being able to bond with their baby
End Notes
As a final note, I'd like to mention there are MANY more OCD subtypes that are also underrepresented! I didn't want to make this post too long and I wanted to draw attention to more stigmatized OCD subtypes that might be considered "too taboo" to talk about!
This is not a diagnostic criteria and if you relate to these symptoms, please comment and I can give you resources! Do not try to find a diagnosis or reliable information on Tik Tok or Tumblr, whether that person sounds educated or not or whether they have that condition or not.
Comment any other subtypes or questions about OCD you have!
My blog is about how to write characters with OCD, C-PTSD, and general mental health issues, and also spreading awareness about OCD and mental health!
Thank you!
