I’m a complex case. Maybe someone can relate.

I don’t have body odor (genitalia), but I had an incident when I was 19 and was on my period. I waited too long to change my napkin and I got a whiff of my scent. It gave me the OCD I have today. I’m 54 and 10yrs over with periods, and just goes to show how the brain can be your worst enemy. You see, I know I don’t smell, and I don’t spend much time showering or laundering, but when I’m public, I think people think, that I think that I can smell myself. Pretty much am fearful that I give off the vibe that I smell. It is Sooooo twisted. I bet most people can’t even understand this. I think “they” are looking at me and judging me and can tell that I am not comfortable with my nether regions. It’s crazy even typing this out. I don’t like crouching, sitting cross legged and other various positions that send me into BIG Time ANXIETY. I can’t think, I sweat, my heart races, I feel like the world is saying “You are so weird. What’s wrong with you. Ewwww!” I did some ERP for a few months, but then I’m fine for a while and then BOOM it comes back. I’m uncomfortable with my body I suppose. And my brain keeps looping on that day when I was 19. Just had to tell my embarrassing story in case someone else feels embarrassed as well. I’m trying to sit with it, haha, sit with it really. But if anyone has something similar to my type of OCD, I’d appreciate your opinions or experience or just acknowledgement. No need for detail if you don’t want to share. Thanks everyone. ❤️

Username: Genna123Genna123

Date posted: 1y ago

Hi! That sounds like a really valid struggle. Thank you for sharing. I have experienced some of this but i got told growing up i smelled bad a lot- mainly my feet. I usually just have perfume on and just hope for the best which sounds bad but i promise that everyone smells bad. I realized one reason i smelt bad was just basic hygiene- i woul wear socks all day so i started changing my socks when i got home just cause they were sweaty. I think some of us are more sensitive to smells especially if they were shockingly brought to our attention by someone or an event. I dont know how to help but this is just my logic that everyone smells weird (not an insult but we are animals who wear cloth over us) and if i shower once a day, wear perfume, deodorant i probably smell good enough. Also wearing cotton underwear helps air things out and i sometimes will change twice a day if i get sweaty but this is more for my own hygiene so i dont get utis (not a compulsion but if it was i don’t think it would be a bad habit) Hope this helps a little. I know this is a personal struggle and i have similar loops in my brain for other topics but for this one I guess i was just told so often i smelt bad as a kid and I constantly remember being around other smelly kids that it just seems like a part of human nature- again as long as you follow basic hygiene your downstairs probably smells the same as every other female’s- you could try a gym for ERP ? Or maybe a sauna? People naturally sweat there so it helps you cope with the imperfection of the smell of body odor. Best of luck💕

Username: Just me. Just me.

Date posted: 1y ago

I have had something similar to this. It varies from where I thought I was smelly but the thoughts of other people being able to smell me caused checking compulsions. I didn't even realize this was probably my OCD until I read your blog.

Username: TapDrumRollTapDrumRoll

Date posted: 1y ago

Thanks you two. It’s so complex though. I don’t smell and know they can’t smell me. But, the way I posture my body and and OCD has me not want to have my nose too close the the area, in public. I give off a look as if I’m offended by my own odor. But there is no odor. I don’t understand why my brain and thoughts are having me act in this fashion. It’s a real struggle to just calm myself and relax around people. Thank you for your experiences and opinions. My ERP is to sit with open legs, squat and even sit with a book in my lap and (sit with the thoughts and not fidget, bite my cheek, or avoid it all). Gotta keep working with this and not against it.

Username: Just me. Just me.

Date posted: 1y ago

You'll get there! 🥰

Username: Jenn

Date posted: 6y ago

New to the group! I’m 38 and have had OCD since I was 8 (officially diagnosed at 34). My OCD used to revolve around order and cleaning. In the last year it developed into a chronic series of intrusive thoughts centered around parasites. Lice, bed bugs, fleas....you know it. I’m constantly checking beds, hair any surface. I’m now on my umpteenth attempt with medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. I feel like I’m the only person with these irrational sets of intrusive thoughts. It’s embarrassing and isolating. Anyone here who has a similar fear or focused fear that triggers their ocd?

Username: raachbb

Date posted: 6y ago

*Long post so apologies. I just wish someone can understand where I am coming from and share their thoughts / emotions or experiences* I have not been diagnosed by a professional about my mental health, but I am pretty sure I experience OCD and anxiety on a daily basis. It all started from being really sick when I was little .. A bug hit me that I had never dealt with before that had caused me to throw up profusely. After this, from since I can remember I am “scared” of germs. If I knew someone was sick, I would contaminate myself from them and avoid all contact. I used to bring my own cutlery to restaurants. I have to wash my hands and use hand sanitiser most of the time. If I start to feel a little bit ‘icky’ I would be on google search to find out if I had symptoms of the bug. It has become such a strain and I have really bad anxiety about the fact of not wanting to be sick. I avoid eating in low rated hygiene places and I have to double check that certain foods are cooked / prepared (ie: chicken) is cooked properly. ... My other OCD situation is a little bit different and I’m unsure as to why and what. I have intrusive thoughts in my head that range from: not wanting to drive in the fear of a car crash. ??? Or I get worried sick knowing that my family and/or partner are driving long distances in fear that I will lose them to an accident. I make sure that they message me during and after commuting so my mind is at ease. I also have a distressing time processing about my childhood; I was once sexually abused that still makes me feel sick to this day. But because of this ... I have had thoughts of sexual “exploration” with my sibling who has nothing to do with my abusive past????? Nothing has happened between me and my sibling of course .. but my OCD is creating false memories that I can’t seem to get rid off? It makes me feel so sick and that I can not live with myself because of this. I then try to flashback all the memories of my past to see if there is some truth about it but it just ends up making things worse ???? I’m just really struggling in my current relationship because of this as it’s not the most comfortable or normal thing to talk about. Any help would be highly appreciated as I feel like I’m losing my mind over it. Sorry for the long text, there is more to it but I just wanted some of you to get the brief understanding of things.

Contamination OCD

Username: rachelb

Date posted: 5y ago

I don’t really know how to start this honestly. It may be long winded. I’m not sure that I have OCD, I’m not trying to take away any experience from anyone but I don’t know how else to explain when I obsess and feel consumed and disturbed by thoughts like this. I’ve been good for a while, thoughts have been at bay, I haven’t googled anything either or had any bodily responses/urges. But I saw something in the news today that brought it back up and disturbed me and I’m back in that headspace again if worrying I’m a danger or a freak or gross. I’m feeling alone in this, I don’t know how to talk about it, and I don’t know how to move through it.

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I’m a complex case. Maybe someone can relate.

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