what kind of harm are we talking about? There are some people who pull out hair, peel skin, and things like that. I have heard ppl say they have a kind of cutting OCD. I don't personal have that, I do have images of self harm, but I've never hurt myself. I've read a few blogs on ocdtribe.com from people who have that disorder. Have you ever seen a therapist?

I think I've started to get the harm side of OCD myself, lately I've had thoughts of hurting my family etc, which I would never do, it's so unsettling :(

it really is unsettling especially with crime on the news and everything that's a huge trigger for me.

I have those symptoms as well. I Also have intrusive thoughts Of hurting myself and/or others. It is totally normal for people with OCD to have these thoughts and urges to harm, and it's hard to convince yourself that you are not that kind of a person and you will not do these things. It's all part of OCD. These thoughts can be controlled over time I promise you. This is a very common form of OCD, I wasn't sure what you meant by harm OCD. I think what you're mentioning is called pure OCD or pure O. this has a little information on this type of OCD.

http://ocdla.com/obsessionalocd

Hope this helps you feel better :)

I agree totally with HappynAZ aboutthe news and crime. I have Hit and Run O.C.D. harm O.C.D.. I spent many hours turning my car around and checking. I have never hit anyone with my car. It just is the stupid O.C.D.. It seems to be alot more people getting hit by cars now and if I am watching the news it triggers my anxiety.
I think there should be a news channel that only has happy news on it.
In my opinion harm O.C.D. is one of the more difficult O.C.D. because it goes against our charactor .

I would describe OCD as intrusive thoughts surrounding the idea of harming others, particularly those you are close to. You are constantly worrying about doing something bad to someone else: for me it was killing or hurting people I loved and/or strangers. It's not pleasant at all. I think it's a lot more common than people think, but people are scared to talk about it because they're scared of what other people would think. Harm OCD troubled me for many years, I didn't want to interact with people because it triggered the thoughts, and I felt paralyzed. Medication helped, but lifestyle changes and positive affirmations are what got me to about 10% of my previous symptom level today. Remember why the thoughts scare you: they are incompatible with your self-concept. You wouldn't be scared of these thoughts if they were true. The fact that the thoughts scare you show you that you are in fact a caring, loving person.

I also have the fear of I might back out of the drive way and runover or hit someone. I constantly check the drive way an the street before I leave. I understand. And I am a very caring and loving person. Thats why I try not to watch the news. Tv puts to many things out for me to obsessing about.

what does an ocd episode look like? I'm going through a hard time right now and i'm struggling to figure out what's wrong with me.