Can anyone help me with contamination? One of my biggest concerns is not only becoming infected with herpes specifically but also that the germs are just hanging around on my mouth/face and can be transmitted even before I am infected if that makes sense. Basically I fear if I come into contact with a contaminated object I fear that the germs can sit around on my mouth/face and infect others if I touch my mouth and then something else. I also feel the need to extensively clean my mouth and often throw away my toothbrush after brushing because I feel whatever germs were on my mouth are now sitting on my toothbrush waiting to reinfect me or others. This is especially difficult when I come in contact with wet or oily things because it seems like they cannot dry or be rinsed off. Any advice or insight is appreciated!!

Oh yuck! That's so nice to have friends than can be a support!!

Thanks so much for answering!! It really helps!

Contamination OCD is so debilitating. Ive been getting better but I start to think now that I know of all these germs that are out there (because of googling due to having this OCD theme) how will I ever become okay with being “normal”. I hope the best for both of you, I understand the struggle and it sucks.

I also struggle with contamination, please let me know if you find anything that helps! I’ve just been trying to fight my thoughts but of course we all know it’s so much more than that

@hannahlach101 for sure! I've slowly let myself come into contact with items I find dirty such as throwing away others' trash without washing. When I do feel like I've come into contact with something contaminated I don't know when to stop washing! Do you ever have false fears that you touched something contaminated by accident even though you're not completely sure if you did?

My fears aren’t so much the physical touching (it’s INSANE that I have fear of contamination and I’m a WAITRESS and have no problem touching people’s dirty napkins, silverware, glasses, etc!). I guess I’m just a bit more worried about the possibility of diseases rather than actually rationally thinking about how I’d get them, if that makes any sense. However when it comes to blood (there have been instances where people will leave bloody napkins on their tables!!) I FREAK out :(

Interesting!! Those are some of my biggest fears right there! I actually did some exposure work with these because I was thinking of picking up some waitressing shifts and knew how my OCD might get in the way. I think I understand it's the rumination about diseases? Gross about the bloody napkins!! One time someone cut their hand at work and I literally bolted to the other side of the room to stay far away from any possible splatter.

Actually if you don't mind me asking, for some of my exposure work I am supposed to survey general cleaning routines of other people, when you touch customers used glasses and silverware do you ever wash your hands after? Would you touch your face, use the bathroom, or touch clean silverware after? This really helps me gain perspective on reasonable casual contact with everyday items.

Yes definitely, waitressing is great money!! Worth it and I’ve been doing it for 3 years now and I’m still doing just fine :) Omg one time I was on vacation and some drunk guy threw up outside and they decided to clean it up by spraying the sidewalk .... it was literally running through the patio and people were stepping in it! Luckily my best friend who is amazing at helping with my OCD was there to talk me through it but MAN I was triggered. It’s times like that though that make us stronger :)

And to answer your question, if I’m just continuing to touch other peoples dirty things then no. However before I roll clean silverware, or get people bread, and especially use the restroom yes I will absolutely clean my hands!

Omg I relate with y’all sooooooo much