About Harm OCD
Harm OCD is a subtype of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a subtype of OCD in which individuals experience intrusive, unwanted thoughts or fears of causing harm to themselves or others. These thoughts are usually violent or aggressive in nature, but people with harm OCD typically have no intention of acting on them. The thoughts can be deeply distressing because they are often contrary to the person’s values and sense of self. Despite the lack of intent to cause harm, these individuals may become very anxious about the possibility of carrying out harmful actions. These thoughts are not reflective of the person’s true desires or character, but they can lead to significant anxiety and compulsive behaviors such as asking loved ones or others repeatedly if they are capable of causing harm or whether they might have hurt someone, checking for signs of harm (e.g., checking to ensure no one was hurt or no accidents occurred), avoiding certain situations or objects that may trigger the obsession (e.g., avoiding knives, sharp objects, or being around people they fear they might hurt), or repeating phrases, prayers, or “good thoughts” to neutralize the harmful thoughts.
