Need Help Understanding When a Thought is OCD

I am brand new to this app. I've been seeing a therapist for a while, but not one that specializes in OCD. I'm having a hard time recognizing when a thought about something being contaminated is just an OCD thought, and when it is rational. I mean, germs exist - so a thing can be contaminated with XYZ. I don't know when I'm over estimating how easily things are "spreading" (which because I have a diagnoses, must be an OCD thing) and when I don't need to worry about something anymore. I'm getting caught in loops with rituals until I satisfy the anxiety or I have been at it for too long to continue. Does anyone have tips for recognizing when something is indeed an OCD thought rather than an rational concern?

Username: Lolo1017Lolo1017

Date posted: 1y ago

Well, if you’re spending more than an hour rationalizing, neutralizing, etc, and it’s affecting your ability to function day to day, it may be OCD. I was seeing a therapist for 3 years, and while she was amazing, we hit a wall pretty quick when my OCD relapsed. She was unable to help, which is why I sought a therapist here with NOCD. I got an official OCD diagnosis after an assessment. I would ask your therapist for an OCD assessment, and if you already have the diagnosis, ask your therapist more questions about OCD and the treatment. There are some amazing OCD therapists through NOCD and they might take your insurance! Also, try to maybe listen to some podcasts from experts in OCD and see if any of the behaviors or stories match what you experience. Good luck!

Username: SomethingCreativeSomethingCre...

Date posted: 1y ago

Thanks for your response! I have a diagnoses of OCD, but I can't always tell when distressing thoughts are my OCD and when they're rational ones. Hope you're doing better (:

Username: strawberry shortcake strawberry s...

Date posted: 1y ago

hi! totally understandable (and relatable hehe). maybe focus less on the actual content of the thought and more on the behavior that surrounds the thought. for example, if you have a fear that something is contaminated, you can address that but if you start to loop around the same idea then it’s sage to say that’s probably ocd ! i think just trying to catch yourself when you ruminate about something and doing opposite action or distracting yourself with something else. it won’t be perfect so try not to be hard on yourself ! 🫶🏻

Username: SomethingCreativeSomethingCre...

Date posted: 1y ago

Thank you! Rumination is a word I just discovered to describe getting sucked into obsessions. Be well !

Username: ivrecivrec

Date posted: 1y ago

I want to add that ocd thoughts are usually distressing and have dire consequences attached.

Username: hellopeoplehellopeople

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 1y ago

What helps me is that OCD thoughts feel urgent like they need to be figured out “right now!” OCD is a bully and the thoughts feel like a life or death situation. This was very helpful for me in noticing what is an ocd thought, because most things can wait or be done in a calm manner but ocd says it must be a panic which isn’t true.

Username: Chellie

Date posted: 5y ago

Triggering for contamination ocd potentially. I just googled something bout therapy and the site gave me an example of a contamination thought that triggered me. "What if someone with aids and bleeding hands touched it". Can anyone help me through this?

Username: Maddybug53

Date posted: 1y ago

Contamination ocd

Hello everyone, I'm new here and have severe contamination ocd that has been happening the past four years since I was 20. I'm 24 now and it seems to be getting worse. I don't want to be around kids because I know they're germy little gremlins and carry the main thing I fear that caused my ocd to worsen. I shower whenever anything above my chest has been touched (neck, face, hair). I wash my clothes after one wear because they feel contaminated after the use. I refuse to let people touch my bed or clean clothes. If I hear that anyone in my family is sick I freak out intensely and have to stay away from them. I also shower if I've been in public and people were coughing near me. If I don't feel like showering and that my above triggers aren't contaminated I just wash my arms up to the elbow and go to sleep because I sleep in short sleeve shirts and my arms touch everything all day. I refuse to touch my face, neck or hair after touching my phone or anything else. I bring a travel blanket with me but have to wash it after every use. I use my shoe to open doors and press the cross walk button. If I can't use my shoe I use my pinkie and immediately handsanitize sometimes twice just to have my hands feel clean. I have to use a utensil to eat when in a restaurant and would ask to change it if I see it touch anything. I work at a place that requires me to use a phone so I have to shower and wash my ear. I hold my breath when walking past people. I can't sit back in the car or on the couch because it'll contaminate my neck and hair. I also have to do a double wash with my hands to feel clean. I used to do it for 20 seconds but I do the hand wash for 20 the 1st time then 30 for the second. I can't wear purses with straps that touch my shoulders, same with back packs. And I use so much soap and lotion that don't help keep my hands moisturized. And if I get triggered by anything I sit there in a quiet rage and ramble in my head because I know saying anything out loud will have me look crazy. There are times though that I get angry and close to tears when it feels like I've been contaminated and when my family makes fun of me for things I feel I have no control over especially the intrusive thoughts, emotions, anger, fear, and tiredness I feel on a daily basis. I'm scared of doing exposure therapy because I know they'll have me touch something contaminated and have me touch my face and not wash it how does that help it'll just make me angry.

Username: Iloverowdy12

Date posted: 50w ago

Ocd

How can you tell if a thought is ocd ??? What’s the difference

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