Health Concern OCD

OCD Subtype

What is Health Concern OCD?

Those suffering with Health Concern OCD, have obsessional thoughts around developing illness and disease. Even when the person knows there is a small likelihood, or when the fears are irrational and exaggerated the drive to do compulsions is still strong. When these individuals feel body sensations their brains will provide them with the “worst case scenario” which will then lead them to perform compulsions based on their fear response.

Health Concern OCD

Common Obsessions

Fear of getting HIV, cancer, or any other life-threatening medical condition
Fears of having brain tumor
Fear of pneumonia or lung cancer
Fear of an STD
Fear of having a heart attack
Fears around having an illness and not being able to cope or function

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Health Concern OCD

Common Compulsions

Multiple visits to their doctor’s office or going to different medical professionals
Repeatedly examining themselves for symptoms
Taking preventative measures to reduce risk of developing an illness
Only eating healthy or “clean” foods
Excessive work-out and wellness routine
Having others examine them and areas they are concerned with
Excessive researching online or avoidance of medical information all together
Repeatedly seeking more advanced testing
Getting multiple medical examinations for one of their alleged conditions
Avoiding people, objects, or situations where they may by exposed to diseases
Providing themselves constant reassurance or seeking reassurance from others
Constant rumination (problem solving) to determine what their symptoms could mean
Rumination about what they will do if they fall ill