Hit-and-Run OCD: Sign, Symptoms, and Treatment

Have you been driving and get an intrusive thought suggesting that you may have just hit a pedestrian? Afterwards, did you suddenly turn around or check the rear view mirror to make sure that you didn't? This type of thought pattern falls under the subtype of hit-and-run OCD.

OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is a doubting disease, marked by intrusive thoughts, images and/or urges. These intrusive thoughts trigger feelings of shame, anxiety, and/or guilt. In response to these feelings, an individual will engage in mental/physical behaviors (compulsions) to alleviate the feeling of anxiety. This mental health disorder has various forms, such as harm OCD, relationship OCD, pure OCD, etc.

Black car that has been in an accident.

What Intrusive Thoughts Are Seen In Hit-and-Run OCD?

People with hit-and-run OCD have hit-and-run obsessions, in which they may have hit a pedestrian or a child and not have been aware. A classic symptom of hit-and-run OCD is that people obsess that they might have killed someone on their commute and didn't realize it because they were distracted.

Individuals with subtype of OCD usually have these type of obsessions when they're distracted while driving, such as:

  • Texting on their phone

  • Reading a billboard

  • Zoning out while on a long stretch of highway

Hit and run OCD involves one of those types of situations to arise, thus causing intrusive thoughts and a general feeling of anxiety and/or guilt. Sometimes, this feeling of anxiety may be so intense that it can cause a panic attack. To relieve this feeling of anxiety, someone with this subtype of OCD will engage in certain behaviors (compulsions).

Compulsions Seen In Hit-and-Run OCD:

People may seek the following compulsions to relieve their sense of anxiety:

  • Checking online to see if they didn't cause a car accident

  • Driving back to certain locations to see if they might have hit a pedestrian

  • Constantly checking the rear view mirror

  • Avoiding driving in areas that have a lot of pedestrians and/or cyclists

  • Having someone else drive them

These compulsions only provide temporary satisfaction from the hit-and-run obsessions. People with subtype of OCD will realize that driving and their OCD will go hand-in-hand. They will repeatedly be triggered while driving and engage in compulsions, which may lead to an overwhelming sense of anxiety and panic attacks. In order to live life without OCD's permission, it's important to seek effective treatment.

Treatment for Hit-and-Run OCD

Hit-and-run OCD treatment also uses the same treatment as other subtypes of OCD. The following treatments are used for all types of OCD:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

  • Mindfulness training

Exposure and response prevention therapy is the gold standard OCD treatment. An ERP exercise that may be used for this subtype of OCD is by having an individual drive through a street, allow them to feel the discomfort caused by their obsessions, and not give in to their compulsions.

Searching for Hit-and-Run OCD Treatment?

KOR Results, offers one-on-one online therapy sessions for individuals struggling with OCD. Our therapists will work with you to diagnose your subtype of OCD, personalize therapy sessions for you, and help live your life without OCD's permission.

Other Subtypes of OCD

Click here to learn more about other subtypes of OCD.