Martin1
- Date posted
- 2y
Contamination
Anyone here suffer with contamination ocd and how are you getting along with this crappy theme?
DulseDulse
- Date posted
- 2y
I have contamination OCD, specifically in relation to environmental toxins and my kids. I'm not getting along very well these days. I see contaminants everywhere. I have a very difficult time differentiating between real and perceived risks, and in determining risk levels. I start therapy tomorrow and am hopeful. But I can't get past the idea that I should be as worried as I am, or that I'm doing things wrong.
EstridEstrid
- Date posted
- 2y
Glad you're beginning therapy, good luck!!
RobbinRobbin
- Date posted
- 2y
@Dulse I can relate so much! I have PP OCD and it pretty much all relates around my baby! I catastrosize everything and that’s what what makes it feel impossible to come up with exposures on my own. Because let’s face it everything does have some risk and I have a really hard time accurately discerning risks and sometimes underestimate real like risks because I’m so busy overestimating the risks that follow my partial ocd themes. I have a hard time determining if the exposures are actually putting my children at risk or not and they all feel like they are and like it’s too big a risk so I stay stagnant. For me I think that’s the biggest reason I need a therapist!
RobbinRobbin
- Date posted
- 2y
I do and it really sucks! It can be frustrating in because others who don’t have this theme are sort of dismissive about it because of frustration about the stereotypes without realizing that their attitude is further isolating those of us that actually do have the contamination subtype. Especially when someone who does have OCD will say something like I wish my theme was just contamination. But that’s the thing about OCD it latches onto whatever you personally value most and can’t accept uncertainty about. So their dismissive attitude about it is exactly why it’s not their theme. It certainly is distressing to those of us that do suffer this theme though. Also our theme usually has more observable compulsions and physical side effects from the overwashing which further complicates it. Sorry you’re suffering with this crappy theme too!!
EstridEstrid
- Date posted
- 2y
I agree so much! Spot on! Contamination issues can lead to much problem, an isolated life and son on.
StudybugStudybug
- Date posted
- 2y
Yes I've been suffering with it since I can remember, it is exhausting, depressing and debilitating. Every day is an effort to will myself into doing the most basic things. I hate it.
Matthew L.Matthew L.
- User type
- OCD Conqueror
- Date posted
- 2y
I deal with contamination OCD. I’m doing better now, dealing with it, then I was before.
EstridEstrid
- Date posted
- 2y
Search treatment! You can manage so much better with the right help.
Related posts
Anonymous
- Date posted
- 19w
Tw/ Contamination ocd
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!!
bun <3
- Date posted
- 19w
everything around me feels contaminated :((
sorry this is super long i just wanna know if anyone else has been thru something similar bc i feel super alone 🩷 i have super bad contamination ocd. it was bad already but my house was like my safe space until a few months ago someone brought something into my house that i considered ‘contaminated’. and so then i felt like that part of the house was contaminated, then it spread to everything outside my room (since family is moving around touching stuff) and then somehow i got convinced everything in my room except my bed is contaminated and i need to wash my hands after touching it. in my mind its like the contamination just infinitely spreads to things after the tiniest bit of touch. idek what im afraid of anymore or even what the original thing was but i can’t let it go. when i have to wash off contamination i have to wash at least 4 times or until it feels right, or sometimes take rlly long showers and wipe down all my stuff. i even throw away food and clothes or just whole items sometimes because they feel so contaminated i don’t want them in my space. i can’t be super near people or have anyone touch me, and i also can’t bring anything new into my room since it had to go through the entry of my house which feels contaminated. i feel like all i do is lay in bed and then wash my hands and do compulsions so i can go eat or do other stuff around the house. also i never go out because i’m bc people outside make me feel dirty, and i hate thinking about how many people have touched stuff in stores or in public and stuff. so im just in my room worrying all day. i feel so trapped and the contamination/avoiding it is all i think about anymore i barely have time for anything else and im never present when i talk to people because im worrying about if i accidentally got contaminated. im starting erp next week and knowing that im going to have to expose myself to things is really freaking me out. does anyone else have this kind of ocd ? im exhaustedddd 🥲🥲💔
JCTC
- Date posted
- 16w
Help with Contamination OCD
Does anyone have any tips that helped them? Mine is due to a specific person and I work with them so it’s been really difficult. I’ve started ERP which has been reaaalllllly challenging and I would love to hear from anyone else that has gone through any type of contamination ocd and how they have overcome or are fighting their way through it. Thank you!l
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond