cant touch door handles

this is a really big part of my ocd, not being able to touch door handles/railing/really anything shared. if i dont have long sleeves i can find myself wasting time waiting for someone to open a door for me or putting myself in danger by not holding the railing while going down stairs (i also have knee problems). every time my fingertip even slightly touches a door i will run to wash my hands with in insane amount of soap and burning hot water. its gotten to the point where i am constantly wearing a jacket, no matter how hot it is, where i am, even if i dont need to touch anything. i need sleeves. does anyone know a way i can calm this down? without extreme stress? im sick of being so dependent on having sleeves.

Username: mispunkmispunk

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

I struggle with this as well. For me it’s not just public places but in my own home too. My ERP involves touching door handles even if I don’t have to go in or out of the house or room. It’s just getting used to touching the handle. I wait as long as I can to wash my hands (and not let myself avoid touching other things around the house). In public I do the same thing. Touch the handle with your hand and if you need to use hand sanitizer- or if you can, wait until you get home to wash your hands. I know this is all way easier said than done, but the only way to overcome it is to do the things that make you uncomfortable. You got this! :)

Username: sev774sev774

Date posted: 2y ago

@mispunk this is really helpful! thanks :)

Username: savvlimessavvlimes

Date posted: 2y ago

Sorry to hear, this sounds extremely stressful. Maybe try clipping a hand sanitizer to your side every time u leave the house so u can put some on after touching doors and railings. Or maybe what if u wore gloves instead or carried tissues always in your pocket or purse or whatever u use and just pull one out when u need to touch something. Hope you can heal from this, it’s not easy but u can do it!

Username: sev774sev774

Date posted: 2y ago

@savvlimes thank you! :)

Username: Caitlin Caitlin

Date posted: 2y ago

I deff used to have this totally feel you

Username: ❄️ snowflake❄️ snowflake

Date posted: 2y ago

Same...

Username: Ellie H

Date posted: 6y ago

my ocd is controlling my life. I can’t stop washing my hands and I always think they have to be clean before I go anywhere or else my whole day will be ruined. I hate the thought of being unclean and I don’t want to spread germs. I wash my hands even when I don’t have to. Anyone have any advice please?

Username: Lil~Z

Date posted: 5y ago

Hello, i have ocd and find myself washing my hands after touching almost anything that I feel is unclean. I worry that if I don’t wash them then contamination could occur or it could negatively affect me somehow. It’s gotten to the point where I think so unrealistically of when I should or shouldn’t wash them, causing me to not know what to do so I just wash them to be safe. Could anyone help me with ways to fix this issue or lessen it please.

Username: a77

Date posted: 5y ago

i have really bad contamination ocd and i can honestly get through my days without panic attacks but it always requires that i have hand sanitizer, wet wipes and access to wash my hands and be able to shower afterwards. i’m feeling like there’s no hope because i can get through the days okay and i try not to let other people know about it because i deal with it all privately but i’m afraid i’ll never be able to stop with all of the cleaning throughout the day. does anyone have tips to stop cleaning their hands or anywhere that may have gotten “dirty” or anything like that? thank you (:

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cant touch door handles

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