Struggles with hygiene
I have contamination ocd and have been struggling with using the bathroom and showering. Everything is done in excess, so I’m constantly over wiping and washing to virtually no end! ironically, I feel like my hygiene has actually gotten worse because of this. Just looking for advice.
It will get better. I would prioritize working on hygiene and bathroom behavior b/c I think you will feel so much better when you can experience progress in this area of life. At one point I struggled a lot too. I didn’t work with a therapist on this, I just broken down the compulsions and decided which felt like one I could not do or only bod in certain circumstances, and as I did that the others felt easier to let go of. My compulsions were different than what you share here but I think it can work similarly. If you’re using any harsh chemicals dilute them. That’s another way to ween off. One thing I remember doing, and this is may sound silly and I don’t know if it worked but I would sing or hum as I was “tapering off” compulsions. I wanted my body to realize there was no threat.
That's a really good idea to hum/sing while resisting compulsions! I like that. Thank you for sharing! 👍
I had the same thing! Highly recommend doing exposure therapy, it seemed to be the only thing that helped me.
I completely understand what you're going through. I have contamination OCD as well, and those very things you mentioned (struggling to use the bathroom/shower, over-wiping) are things that have been really hard for me, especially over the last few weeks. So, firstly, just know that you're not alone! I would encourage you to be proud of yourself for the little victories. I know that even just washing my hands one fewer time than I normally would is progress. I completely understand how scary it can feel, but you've got this! The beginning is really hard, but it will get easier over time. Be gentle with yourself.
I'm really sorry you're going through this. I wish I had some more advice for you. This has been really hard for me, too, so I'm still working through it myself. :( We've got this, though! I believe in you!
It really is challenging. I struggle with contamination OCD too and hygiene is definitely not easy
I struggle with using the bathroom, although I’ve changed how I do things, through ERP, and it’s helped me. I can relate to over wiping and the shower. I have been able to cut down on wiping, and I feel I’m not in the shower as long. I have rituals, but have cut back a bit.
Really struggling with my contamination ocd lately. It’s so hard to sit in fear and discomfort without washing and preforming my compulsions. Is there any one else struggling with this, that has any advice? Thank you!!
Does anyone else with Contamination OCD have a problem with bathrooms in general? Most of my more bothersome routines are bathroom related (hand washing, showers, and wiping) and it makes it hard to talk about my OCD with anyone, just from the fear of embarrassment. I still would like to find support, but I haven’t met anyone with similar issues to mine. Any pointers etc would be appreciated!
Does any one else really struggle with contamination ocd? For me I struggle with laundry and feeling like it’s not clean enough, and taking a shower. My showers go on for close to an hour because I feel like I didn’t wash enough or it needs to be a certain amount of times. I also struggle when it comes to the bathroom and compulsively wiping. The hand washing and the anxiety just take up so much of the day and it really drains me. I have been struggling with ocd for years and have been working with a therapist with it but it still feels so consuming. I started taking medication, but everything still feels so overwhelming, and dreadful. I was wondering if anyone could relate, because I’ve been feeling really alone with the severe contamination ocd.
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