Harm OCD

Harm OCD is a type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder where a person experiences unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges about harming themselves or others. These thoughts can be really scary and upsetting—especially because they go completely against who the person truly is and what they value.

People with Harm OCD don’t want to cause harm; in fact, they often feel deeply disturbed by these thoughts. The problem is that OCD makes these unwanted thoughts feel intense and hard to ignore.

• Intrusive thoughts like, “What if I lose control and hurt someone?” or “What if I push my child?”
• Fear of acting on these thoughts, even though there’s no actual desire or intention to do so
• Compulsions or mental rituals to try to prevent harm or reduce anxiety
• High levels of guilt and shame because these thoughts go against the person’s core values and sense of self

• Fear of accidentally hurting loved ones—like a partner, child, or parent
• Fear of losing control and acting violently
• Fear of being a “bad” or dangerous person
• Fear of having violent urges or impulses

• Avoiding things that feel risky, like knives, driving, or being alone with others
• Mentally reviewing past actions to “check” if harm occurred
• Asking others for reassurance, like “Do you think I would ever hurt someone?”
• Checking on people after being around them to make sure they’re okay
• Avoiding fun or pleasurable activities because of feeling undeserving or guilty

People with Harm OCD are not violent or dangerous. In fact, many are caring, empathetic, and sensitive individuals. The distress comes from how strongly these intrusive thoughts clash with their true values and identity—something OCD relentlessly fixates on.