- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 3y
I hope that the following won't qualify as reassurance for you, it's just information/a personal experience: As a fellow cOCDer, I think the thing you can do is be equiped and respect the distancing measures as much as possible and try and see it as enough. It's completely understandable to worry about this, even without OCD in the current context. It's a palpable real life concern/pandemic. You can't fully do ERP in this case, one has to avoid contamination/protect themselves without going to an extreme. I would encourage telling people/coworkers in a polite way that I feel umconfortable when they're too close, if it's possible in your workplace to observe the distancing. If you have to eat, if possible, do it alone/outside/after opening the window for a little bit. The key is the mask though, because one can't control other people's actions and beliefs, and if you have to take public transportation to get there for instance. FFP2/N95 masks are legit, just remember to change them after 8 hours in a closed space or if they get too moist or get damaged. I'm in the medical field and most colleagues I know who got contaminated got it outside of the workplace or when they weren't using the right mask, even those dealing everyday with positive patients since march 2020. In summary, in this specific case, try and not be too hard on yourself ERPwise, these are not steps back, it's a very special situation, especially at the moment, so protect yourself with the basics: masks, distance, fresh air and hand hygiene, without going overboard (I don't know your compulsions) and try to see these as enough, and sit with the anxiety, but sit protected/masked. Good luck!!
Thank you for that. No that didn't seem like reassurance. So thank you. I only have KN95s though is that equivalent? Or do I need to find N95?
@Catperson10 They are interchangeable and offer the same level of protection (95%, present in the name), one is approved by a US Institute, N95, KN95 by a chinese one, the other differences are technical and don't impact the level of protection. You've got this!!
@Anonymous* Oh perfect! I'm worried that they gap at the sides a bit but I have to get latex free ones too because I also have a latex allergy. But thank you out sounds like what I have is good. And so far so good.
@Catperson10 You're welcome! If the gap is tiny at cheek level and your skin then "blocks" it at some point, it's okay (not a native speaker, hope it makes sense). The fit around the nose is important and one should use both hands to mold the clip/flexible part to the shape of your nose bridge after having put on the mask. Good luck!!
@Catperson10 Got it I think it's the cheek. I have glasses too and they fog up but I put the bridge high and make it formed to my nose shape
@Catperson10 Perfect!
@Anonymous* Thanks again
@Catperson10 You're welcome :)
Does anyone have any tips that helped them? Mine is due to a specific person and I work with them so it’s been really difficult. I’ve started ERP which has been reaaalllllly challenging and I would love to hear from anyone else that has gone through any type of contamination ocd and how they have overcome or are fighting their way through it. Thank you!l
I’m thinking about doing erp but my ocd is so severe the thought of accepting my fears happening to me makes me sick to my stomach. I also believe in the power of my words and saying I accept this Bad thing will attract it into my life. I’m not sure what I should do🥲
One place where my OCD tends to crop up is around contamination (ie ways that I believe I am endangering my family, whether exposing them to danger or whether I am the danger myself). But sometimes I feel that my fears are totally justified and that ERP is just trying to gaslight my brain into forgetting my responsibility to keep them safe. I don’t really believe in ERP right now and I don’t see why I should. Truthfully, I’ve never seen why I should. I don’t want to be calm. At least, that’s not my priority. I want my family to be safe, and if they’re not, then why should I be calm about that? Being at peace should be a by-product of having done my best to protect them. Maybe I can “live with” the possibility of something external happening if I’ve done what I can to protect them, but if I’m not doing that, then I have no right to be at peace. Does anyone else feel this way, and how do you answer yourself? I’m feeling angry and disillusioned about what ERP is trying to accomplish. I’m feeling like it’s setting up a false peace in my mind that doesn’t match the truth that my fear is trying to make me understand. I have heard my therapist say that I need to work the process if I want it to work, but I am not even sold on whether the promised result is worth pursuing. Please help if you can.
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