Hello, I’m fairly new to NOCD and I’ve noticed that talking to others does seem to make me feel a little better. That said, I’d love to hear personal stories about what other people’s contamination OCD is like? I feel like it might help me understand my own. Does anybody else obsess about the microscopic world? Not even bacteria, just things that might be on other things that we can’t see?
For me it all started with Covid and my contamination fears center around feeling like things are contaminated with coronavirus (anything that comes in to my apartment from the “outside world” - groceries and packages really freak me out and I will either sanitize it immediately or let it sit for several days and usually still feel weird about touching it even after a week!) Anytime I go out I need to change my clothes and usually shower when I get back, which is such a hassle that I try to avoid it if possible. That combined with the fear of getting sick with Covid means that I rarely leave my apartment. I am a homebody anyway but it still sucks to be AFRAID of the outside world versus choosing to stay home because I want to. I feel like I’m more scared of the contamination itself than actually getting sick though. Yes, I avoid the public because I really really don’t want long covid, it sounds awful and so scary! But I am MORE scared of bringing contamination into my own home and spreading it all over my “safe space”. I am fully aware that I won’t contract covid from touching surfaces, but the illness itself isn’t what I’m afraid of. Just the feeling that something IS contaminated gives me anxiety! So yes, I guess I would call that obsessing over the microscopic world? I don’t worry much about other germs though. I do scrub my hands a lot more after using the bathroom now, and wash my hands and arms several times after scooping kitty litter. I guess my threshold for being grossed out is now lower haha. I’m sorry this is so long! One more thing - the most recent episode of The OCD Stories podcast really resonated with me and described my particular version of contamination to a T. Worth a listen if you’re looking for personal stories! https://theocdstories.com/episode/courtney-344/
Hi, I was always carrying sanitizer and wipes around in my purse before Covid, but like the previous commenter said above, Covid really did a number on me. I was constantly afraid of catching Covid and getting long Covid and I was so afraid of losing my hair. It really stopped me from doing a lot of things I wanted to do and it strained a lot of my friendships because I stoped going out and I pretty much went to work and stayed home. I work with children too, so the fear of getting something from them just made me feel so crazy at times. But then I caught Covid in June. And I had a breakdown because my biggest fear came true. And then I healed and then suddenly I became afraid of monkey pox. So now I am constantly spraying everything with Lysol and Carrry so many disinfecting items in my purse. It’s a bit exhausting and I get so sad because I have no other options then to work with kids and kids are full of germs! And I wish I could quit but I can’t. So I guess I just try my best to take it one day at a time. Has it gotten better? Yea kinda, but I’m still not at a point where I can do the things I want to do without the fear of getting something.
Does anyone have any tips on how to handle contamination OCD?
Hi there. I’ve recently joined NOCD and wanted to ask: does anyone have a sort of mental contamination fear, such as believing that interacting with people will “infect” oneself in a psychological manner? Just wanted to reach out and ask if this is an experience others had. Also looking to share experiences with others. Thanks.
Hello, i have very severe contamination ocd, and as i am writing this i feel my hands are dirty lol, but anyways i wanted to know if there’s anyone specialised in Contamination ocd? No matter what type because i really need help and i looked up things but it doesn’t help please!!
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