OCD Subtype:

Sensorimotor

Sensorimotor OCD, also called Somatic OCD, happens when your brain fixates on ordinary sensations or automatic bodily functions—like breathing, blinking, swallowing, your heartbeat, eye floaters, or even your energy level—and refuses to let go. What most people naturally filter out suddenly feels impossible to ignore, leaving you stuck monitoring the sensation and fearing you’ll never be able to stop—and every important moment in your life will be ruined. 

These sensations feel intrusive, overwhelming, and all-consuming, often bringing doubts about losing control or your body not working the way it should. The more you focus, the stronger the cycle becomes, trapping you in endless checking and worry.

But the problem isn’t your body—it’s OCD turning normal experiences into false alarms.  

Sensorimotor OCD can sound like:

What if this never goes away?

What if I go crazy or have a psychotic break because I’m constantly thinking about my breathing.

I don’t want to ruin this important moment by thinking about my blinking.

I never used to notice my hands tingling, and I was so much happier and able to do so many more things. 

I should not be so aware of this - maybe something is seriously wrong with me.

holding head in hands
distressed female sitting on counter

Common focus of Obsessions

  • Tingling

  • Heart rate

  • Breathing

  • Swallowing

  • Energy level

  • Blinking

  • Eye floaters 

  • Discomfort or tension in muscles

holding own neck looking down

Common Sensorimotor Compulsions

  • Monitoring to see if awareness is still present.

  • Trying to push out or suppress the thoughts.

  • Mental checking to see if the sensation feels “normal.”

  • Repeating actions like swallowing, blinking, or breathing in a set way or number of times to feel permission to move on.

  • Analyzing the sensations and the potential “cause” of it.

  • Spending mental energy trying to figure out how to eliminate it. 

  • Asking for reassurance that the awareness will fade or that it’s “normal.”

  • Attempting to control or “even out” bodily processes.

Therapist sitting in chair

The Sensation Isn’t The Problem —OCD Is

If you feel like you can’t get out of your head—or out of your own body—Sensorimotor OCD might be the reason.

But there is a way forward.

With the right tools and treatment, you can stop obsessing over sensations and start showing up for your life again.

Schedule Free Consultation