Spilling the Tea on Taboo OCD Topics: The Side of OCD No One Talks About
When you hear OCD, most people think of hand-washing, cleaning, or needing things perfectly in order. But let’s spill the tea: that’s only a small slice of what OCD really looks like. The truth? OCD often shows up in “taboo” ways—disturbing, confusing, and scary thoughts that people are often too ashamed to admit.
Here’s what taboo OCD can actually look like:
🍼 Postpartum OCD
New parents often expect to feel nothing but love for their baby. But for some, OCD latches on with terrifying intrusive thoughts—like “What if I hurt my baby?” These thoughts are unwanted, horrifying, and the opposite of what the parent values. The result? Avoiding time with the baby, feeling overwhelming guilt, and believing you’re a “bad parent.” The truth: this is OCD, not reality.
🔪 Harm OCD
You love your friends and family, but your brain throws images like, “What if I stab someone with this kitchen knife?”or “What if I push someone in front of a car?” It’s disturbing, but that’s why OCD latches onto it—because you’d never want to do those things. People with Harm OCD are actually some of the least likely to act violently, because their biggest fear is doing harm.
👶 Pedophile OCD (POCD)
This is one of the most taboo and isolating forms of OCD. A person might get intrusive thoughts like, “What if I’m attracted to children?” These thoughts feel so disturbing that people avoid being around kids, even though they would never harm a child. Again, OCD attacks what matters most—and in this case, your values and morals.
💔 Relationship OCD (ROCD)
Love can be messy, but OCD adds a whole new layer: constant doubts about your relationship. “What if I don’t really love them?” … “What if I’m with the wrong person?” … “What if I secretly like someone else?” These questions don’t stop, even when the relationship is healthy and loving. ROCD convinces you to second-guess what you care about most—your partner and your connection.
👉 The thing all these taboo OCD themes have in common? They go against your values. OCD latches onto what you fear most, not what you want. The thoughts feel real and terrifying, but they’re not a reflection of who you are—they’re a reflection of the disorder.
The good news? OCD is treatable. Therapies like Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and commitment Therapy can help you face the fears without giving into compulsions, and take your life back.
If any of this sounds familiar, know this: you’re not broken, you’re not dangerous, and you’re not alone.
👉 Book a free 15-minute consultation today to learn how therapy can help. I offer in-person sessions in Waunakee, WI and virtual therapy across Wisconsin
Resources
International OCD Fondation: https://iocdf.org/ocd-finding-help/living-with-ocd/