No. In fact, the opposite is true. Individuals with aggressive obsessions are usually highly conscientious and disturbed by their thoughts, which often go against their values and personality. The distress comes from fearing they might act, not from wanting to. These individuals are not a threat to others

Unlike anger disorders or actual aggression, people with aggressive compulsions do not act on their thoughts. These thoughts are ego-dystonic — meaning they conflict with the person’s values and identity, which is what causes anxiety and compulsive behavior. Anger issues involve emotional dysregulation and actual outbursts; this disorder involves internal mental conflict and fear of potential harm.

A licensed mental health professional can diagnose OCD with aggressive obsessions based on clinical interviews and symptom history. There are no medical tests, but structured assessments like the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) may help quantify symptom severity.

While OCD is considered a chronic condition, many people with aggressive compulsions can greatly reduce or manage their symptoms with proper treatment. Early intervention and consistent therapy often lead to positive long-term outcomes.