Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder that centres on repetitive, fearful thoughts, termed as an obsession and a ritualistic, compulsive action.

There are five main types of OCD that commonly appear in sufferers, said Dr Lim Yun Chin, a psychiatrist at Raffles Hospital.

A person may suffer from a combination of traits. Dr Lim explains the five categories.

1: Washers and cleaners

Obsession: A constant fear of contamination and being infected with a disease and infecting others.

Compulsion: Sufferer avoids or removes all possible sources of germs and dirt. Washers may repeatedly wash their hands or take showers, while cleaners may clean their house many times a day as well as clean objects, clothes or surfaces repeatedly.

2: Checkers

Obsession: A fear that forgetting to lock or switch something off will cause harm, for which they will be blamed.

Compulsion: Time-consuming rituals that involve checking and re-checking the objects of their obsession - usually locks and switches in the house or office.

3: Orderers

Obsession: To organise or arrange objects in a specific pattern or order before performing a daily task.

Compulsion: Arranging things in a certain 'correct' way. If someone else touches or moves those objects out of place, they will feel extremely upset.

4: Hoarders

Obsession: Excessive fear of discarding certain objects in the belief that they may be of use in the future.

Compulsion: Keeping or collecting items that are often useless. Even if some are useful, hoarders tend to collect so many items that they are unable to finish using all of them.

5: Obsessionals

Obsession: Unwelcome, horrific thoughts, like violent scenes of injuring a loved one.

Compulsion: Mental rituals like repeated counting or repeating words to take their mind off the disturbing thoughts.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times.

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