Just Right OCD/Perfectionism

OCD Subtype

What is Just Right OCD?

Just Right OCD is a subtype with intrusive thoughts and compulsive themes centered around organization, perfection, symmetry, exactness, and how something feels. These OCD sufferers feel an intense need to make things “just right.” This may be centered around parts of their body, breathing a certain way, arranging items in a distinct way, having words and sentences sound a certain way, walking evenly or doing an action a certain number of times until it feels right. If the person does not complete their compulsive behaviors, it feels unsettling and as if something is not correct.

Just Right OCD/Perfectionism

Common Obsessions

Fear if compulsion is not performed something bad will happen (magical thinking)
Fear if compulsion is not performed their anxiety will never go down
Fear if compulsion is not performed, they will feel off
Fear of judgment from others if things are not done perfectly

Just Right OCD/Perfectionism

Common Compulsions

Turning on and off the lights repeatedly
Arranging food in a particular order
Dressing and re-dressing to make things look perfect
If one side of the body is bumped the other needs to be as well
Walking in a way to avoid stepping on certain floors or carpets
Picking up and putting down items until they feel right
Erasing and re-writing things/typing and re-typing
Evenness when doing a task such as texting, writing, or typing
Needing to have certain words or images in mind during these actions
Speaking in a certain manner
Hyperfocus on aspects of appearance so they are constantly fixing and adjusting
Reassuring self and asking others for reassurance to ensure things are even and everything is okay