OCD Checking Gas or electric stove knobs Anxiety
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder presents itself in many guises, and certainly goes far beyond the common misconception that OCD is merely a little hand washing or checking light switches. Although those are valid OCD compulsions, such perceptions fail to acknowledge the distressing thoughts that occur prior to such behaviours and also fails to highlight the utter devastation that constant compulsions (no matter what they are) can cause.
Although there are infinite forms of OCD, it has been traditionally considered that a person’s OCD will fall into one of these five main categories, with themes often overlapping between categories too.
Checking
Contamination / Mental Contamination
Symmetry and ordering
Ruminations / Intrusive Thoughts
Hoarding
The person with OCD may physically keep checking the knob is securely in the zero/off position or spend time fixated and staring at the knobs until there is a ‘feeling’ of certainty that it is safely off. The primary obsession is that the property may catch fire and burn down killing loved ones or neighbours or that treasured possessions will be destroyed. The primary obsessive fear will spill over into feeling responsible for the consequences of not checking and the guilt that would follow for allowing the loss of life and property destruction.
Although there are infinite forms of OCD, it has been traditionally considered that a person’s OCD will fall into one of these five main categories, with themes often overlapping between categories too.
Checking
Contamination / Mental Contamination
Symmetry and ordering
Ruminations / Intrusive Thoughts
Hoarding
The person with OCD may physically keep checking the knob is securely in the zero/off position or spend time fixated and staring at the knobs until there is a ‘feeling’ of certainty that it is safely off. The primary obsession is that the property may catch fire and burn down killing loved ones or neighbours or that treasured possessions will be destroyed. The primary obsessive fear will spill over into feeling responsible for the consequences of not checking and the guilt that would follow for allowing the loss of life and property destruction.