Contamination problems at work

I have contamination issues and I now work at a grocery store. I got fired from my last job, at a hardware store, for being drunk thanks to lack of coping, and now I work here. When I was working there, it wasn't so bad because people mostly bought tools and lumber and hardware stuff. But now, I'm at my 3rd day here, haven't even been properly trained yet and I can tell this is going to be a nightmare. Its harder because people consume it. Not just produce either but boxes and stuff too. And people don't wash that nor do some people even wash the produce. They have hand sanitizer by the registers and I keep some on me at all times but I'm not sure how I am going to be able to work here. Theres also kids who come in with their parents to buy food and i have pocd too and i know thats gonna be a problem. It hasnt bothered me too much yet but i know its gonna make me uncomfortable. Todays my first day on the floor. I can't quit though. Anyone have any suggestions?

Dutchgirl

Date posted: 2y

I understand. I worked at a grocery store in college and it triggered my contamination OCD all the time! I ended up leaving and went to work at a hardware store! Ideally it would be great for you to do ERP and get well while at this job! But I understand the overwhelming feeling of working in such a busy public place. I am wondering if you might be able to work in a more “behind the scenes” department or maybe another hardware store?? I used to think a bookstore would be an ok place to work!

majimaisthebest

Date posted: 2y

I did apply to the other big hardware store in my area but never heard anything. When I was at my hardware job though, I did spend some time, unofficially-it was never in my job description but I didn't mind cause I liked doing it more- doing online orders for pick up. Maybe I should see about doing that. I'd still have to touch the product but I feel I'd have to touch less things. I have no idea about going around and applying for that though but the lady who interviewed me said that was something that they offer a lot. Getting up and going to this job is so tough right now, I'm still heartbroken from my old job because there is a man who i worked with there that I platonically fell in love with and him me. We talk like for 2 hours or so online now most days but I won't see him in person anymore. He doesn't like to hang out with anyone at all. So to go to a job that is just so much more triggering without his support there, idk how I'm gonna do it. Makes me not wanna even try. Everytime I think about it, I start crying. Why did I have to go and ruin everything? I'd fall back into alcoholism if I could, I say that like it's been a long time but it's really only been nearly a week, but I promised him I wouldn't drink and it's what got me into this position in the first place so it pisses me off.

Dutchgirl

Date posted: 2y

Could you possibly work something out to get your old job back?

majimaisthebest

Date posted: 2y

I don't think so. My manager never gave a fuck about anyone but himself, the corporate tool he is. Ths place lead me on for a week and a half, after an in person visit and many phone calls trying to find out whats going on, and my manager said he was waiting on a corporate phone call, whatever that means. I kinda wanna try calling the store manager because my friend told me if I act humbally yet determined, he's a pushover. Might try that

S. L.

Date posted: 24w

Contamination OCD

Does anyone have any tips on how to handle contamination OCD?

user2826728292

Date posted: 24w

how do you beat contamination OCD

If anyone has beaten or gotten a lot better with contamination ocd how long did it take and how did you do it? I don’t see myself getting over this theme for a long time but I’m worried for my future like getting a job , I’m scared I won’t be able to cope with bacteria in a workplace and stuff like that. Just feeling lost in recently :(

bun <3

Date posted: 15w

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 🥲🥲💔

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Contamination problems at work

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