Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) characterized by ruminative or intrusive thoughts encompasses forbidden, harmful, or taboo thoughts and impulses, which can be deeply disturbing to the individual. For instance, individuals may find themselves questioning whether they have engaged in incest or harmed someone, despite knowing logically that they have not. Similarly, religious individuals may experience intrusive thoughts that involve questioning aspects of their faith or relationship with God.
Common ruminations or Intrusive thoughts include:
- Persistent questioning of your own sexual orientation, sexual interests or desires
- Frequent intrusive thoughts that are often sexual or violent in nature, fear of hurting (abusing) someone
- Disturbing thoughts of inappropriate sexual activities
- Persistent worry that you’ll act on your intrusive thoughts or that having them makes you a bad person
- Intense thoughts of constant perfection
- Philosophical or existential obsessions, obsessions about religious ideas that feel blasphemous or wrong
Common compulsive behaviors that occur include:
- Constantly checking to make sure one did not harm anyone around them
- Avoiding certain places or people to prevent being triggered (clubs, bars)
- Spending more time at a place of worship to combat the intrusive thoughts regarding religion
- A long period of time spent pondering philosophical or existential topics
- Constantly asking family, friends or loved ones if they did anything wrong (Have I ever hurt you?)