Contamination, partners and dogs.

Hi All, I’m new to NOCD and any kind of online forums, this is my first post ever, so please be kind! I’m looking to see if anyone has any advice on struggling with OCD, particularly contamination focused, and struggle with lack of control, and dealing with living a partner and their dogs. I have struggled with OCD for as long as I can remember and moved in with my my now wife last year. Since we have been living together, I have found it incredibly difficult to manage my OCD in terms of not having full control of things and situations (which comes with living with a partner) and incredible anxiety around the dogs and how “dirty” and “contaminated” they make me feel. I struggle with dogs being all over the house, on the bed and on the sofa etc., and don’t feel I can cope or sit down anywhere through fear of where they have been, what they have been doing, and them making me feel “dirty”. Due to this I find I spend extended periods of time stuck in my office and my relationship with my wife id incredibly strained. Any help, advice, or support would be greatly received, thank you

Username: Nolan357

Date posted: 381d ago

Im sorry i dont have any advice, but im in the same boat. I love dogs so much and i want to live with a partner, but i dont know how i could ever do that with OCD... makes me worried ill just have to live alone forever :( sending sympathy

Username: Greg31

Date posted: 381d ago

Thank you for your message and best wishes to you. I hope you find the help you need.

Username: Nica

Date posted: 381d ago

Having a dog (or multiple dogs) is actually good for you if you do t give into your OCD and intrusive thoughts.

Username: Greg31

Date posted: 381d ago

Thank you for your message. I hope to be able to live more comfortably with them at some point

Username: lainemer

Date posted: 381d ago

I just wanted to say that you aren’t alone. I have the same type of OCD with feeling like everything is dirty/contaminated and the pandemic has made it SOOOO much worse. I feel like I somewhat had it under control until the pandemic started, but now I am back to giving in to all my impulses to wash my hands, face, phone, etc. I can’t touch the door knobs in my house anymore. I know the thoughts are irrational, but I can’t help it. What you described with the dogs, I would be the exact same way if I currently had dogs. I find myself isolating myself to my bedroom for other reasons. It just feels the cleanest to me. I wish I had helpful advice, but I really just commented to tell you you are not alone. One thing that helps me a TINY amount is the saying “God made dirt. Dirt don’t hurt. If I die, God knows why.” It just helps to remind me how irrational my thoughts are I guess. It doesn’t help much, but thought I would share it anyway.

Username: Greg31

Date posted: 381d ago

Thank you for your kind message. I’m pleased to have written a post on here and it’s nice not to feel so alone. Thank you. I’m looking forward (well actually incredibly anxious) to be starting with some ERP therapy soon and am hoping to be able to work on this. I need to make some progress for my relationship with my partner as it’s really taking it’s toll on things at home. Best wishes to you and I hope you conquer your OCD and start to feel much better