Transformation obsession

A transformation obsession is a little-known symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

A person with a transformation obsession fears transforming into someone or something else.[1] Losing one's self or taking on undesired characteristics is what creates the anxiety and fear. Rituals such as counting, blinking, checking, hand washing etc. may eliminate the anxiety when that are done in a way which "feels right" to the sufferer. Misdiagnosis is frequent which can lead to inappropriate treatments.[1] In some cases, cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial, with patients developing strategies to counteract these obsessions and thus making some clinical progress.[1]

S. Rachman was the first to describe this phenomenon in his 2006 book called "Fear of Contamination."

References
  1. Volz, Chloë; Isobel Heyman (June 2007). "Transformation obsession in young people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)". J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 46 (6): 766–772. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e3180465a2e. PMID 17513989.
  • Article on transformation obsession
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