Contamination OCD is perhaps the most well-known subtype of OCD. It is characterized by the presence of obsessions pertaining to concerns of coming into contact with contaminants. Contaminants are generally thought of as being physical, such as germs or animals, but contaminants can also be of a less concrete variety, such as bad luck. Exposure to contaminants provokes a significant amount of distress/anxiety and/or disgust and results in the individual seeking ways (via compulsions) to sterilize the contamination or neutralize their contact with the contaminant. The decontamination methods enacted in such situations are excessive and typically time-consuming. In addition to compulsions, the individual may have elaborate methods or rules (otherwise known as rituals) for either avoiding or preventing contamination from happening, or counteracting contamination once it has occurred. The obsessions and compulsions present in OCD are excessive, cause a great deal of emotional upset, and have the potential to impair the person’s functioning in important life areas, such as work/school, hygiene behaviors, relationships, etc.