Aggressive or embarrassing thoughts
There are many forms of obsessive thoughts, not only those related to staying clean or uncontaminated. In some patients, there is an aggressive type of obsessions instead. These patients are utterly afraid of causing harm to others, and they have constant thoughts of doing just that for no reason. When these thoughts come to mind, they would consider them dangerous and become upset and worried about actually doing what they thought unintentionally. This often builds up and as the symptoms perpetuate they would grow anxious and depressed.
For example, in a case scenario, an obsessive-compulsive patient is using a knife while cooking in the kitchen with his loved one, and the aggressive thought would start pressing on his mind that he can stab his wife with that same knife just as he’s doing with the tomatoes. They instantly become afraid of their own thoughts and starts worrying about actually performing these aggressive behaviors someday.
Aggressive thoughts may not only be focused on another person but the patient himself. They might become worried about losing their own control and jumping off a cliff or doing something against him or herself.
Embarrassing thoughts are common as well, as in fear of insulting people or screaming in public. These fears can be severe enough to make them sweat and tremble out of anxiety, terrified on the thought that they might forget all they need to say in their speech or do something incorrectly. In this case, obsessive-compulsive behaviour should be differentiated with social phobia, and if you have a doubt, it would be a good idea to schedule a visit with a psychiatrist to get a full review of your symptoms.
