I have contamination OCD and I have had a few good days but now my brain has latched onto a new instance and the uncertainty isn’t enough I’m just tired of sanitizing everything millions of times and not trusting my own memory that I did
I have contamination ocd as well and with erp I’ve got my other subtypes and most contaminant fears under control except when I need to use the restroom for anything more than a pee. Hand and arm washing was like 1/2 at one point but with erp it’s longer than other people but not a whole lot more. So my sharing is that erp therapy really helps and for cases where it’s just too hard - looking at the routines themselves and doing an erp hierarchy for them. I’m doing this in the restroom- little reductions in my compulsions at time - and my compulsions and times and amount of to are coming down because I’m gradually changing the routines that have become ingrained habits / rituals.
@Erin P We should not give you up . Everything will be okay. It is just a matter of time. ERP is the best.. 😳
@Joe_@ Thank you 🫶
My problem is also contamination. Im just afriad of something germs entering my mouth.. It's not illness I'm afraid of, it's a shame that this has to happen to me.
It's not a Shame. It's okay. You're okay.
@Joe_@ I’m there with you :(
@Have Some Chocolate 🍫 Thank you so much. I need to hear that. 🥰
My other subtypes are in My control now But i still can't control my Contamination type. Everytime i say i won't wash my hands compulsively from the next time But i still do it cause i feel uncomfortable thus I'm wasting water ,handwash, time all... My only problem is with Hand washing Other times i do not obsess with sanitizing everything... I sometimes do tho.... Occasionally but Hand washing is always there
@Have Some Chocolate 🍫 that’s so interesting how it manifests differently for us all. I sanitize more than handwash because it’s easy to sanitise clothes etc
@amaniocd Yea it's different per person And it even changes When i didn't know i had OCD i used to almost Peel my skin still felt like my skin was dirty That obsession then ended itself Sometimes i occasionally feel to sanitize this and that but not always But this handwashing forever remains And i also keep pouring water cause i feel like there's still foam on my hand i know there's nothing Still i keep pouring water again and again
@Have Some Chocolate 🍫 I still struggle with rinsing for the same reason you do - my hand washing is now pretty quick but getting the soap off takes a long time. My next step is to work this down as well. So hard once it’s become a habit / way you do things as well as a fear.
@Erin P Hmm great for you... I just finish the whole handwash bottle in a week 😂 My mom says do you drink it or what Well i can't answer as She doesn't know i have OCD I feel uncomfortable if i don't use it too much or don't pour water more than necessary... I will keep feeling that my hand is dirty
@Have Some Chocolate 🍫 Your mom knows something is up - if she is an understanding and caring mom you could tell her. She might be supportive or helpful in getting you erp therapy to get better.
@Erin P Lol She have No Clue... She just thinks i waste Things unnecessarily Yes She's Caring but She Won't Understand/ believe Mental illnesses Otherwise as I'm struggling so much i would have told her long ago
@Have Some Chocolate 🍫 I’m so sorry she can not help you. Some self help resources: Anxieties.com Shala Nicely’s website 🍀
@Erin P It's okay i can control my OCD now I have suffered with my themes a lot before but this community really helped a lot... I knew a lot of things which i didnt so the learnings from here helped me a lot to control it seeing that Im not only one who suffers this way also helped Only the handwashing is still like before and OCD thoughts still come constantly but i can handle those better than before but sometimes i fail to do so then end up becoming anxious but I'm really Grateful that it's much better than before... The thing from which I'm suffering now is I either have EFD/ADHD which i don't know 😭😂 But my Brain has Executive Function Deficit for sure so I'm struggling cause My academics have become a Disaster Anyways Thanks for the Website, it will definitely help.
@Have Some Chocolate 🍫 🫶
I have contamination OCD and I have been fighting my OCD all day today. And I ate food through the thoughts but now my head is constantly saying it will make me sick even though I know it will be totally fine and was delicious and healthy. But the thoughts are still bombarding
First my credit card fell on the floor at the coffee shop. I managed to pick it up with gloves, clean it with wet wipes and put it back in my wallet (usually I would try to wash it, but managed to just wipe and put away). Then as ai was throwing away the wipes and gloves, my glasses fell out of my bag, onto the floor. They were in the case so I ended up dumping the glasses on the table and discarding the case (but later found my good case that I've been looking for in my car since last year 😁). I later decided to get rid of the 3 bags of garbage sitting on my counter, went outside, and of course it was raining. I continued to the dumpster, and tried to throw it from a distance. One bag hit the dumpster, while the other 2 went in. I didn't want to get in trouble, so I picked up the bag and threw it in (despite that it felt extra contaminated), and removed the gloves I had on. I continued to enter my apartment and touch stuff (even though it was raining and water that was on my contaminated gloves could have gotten on me). I continued then to go clean my bathtub/shower/shower curtain. Right now I'm trying very hard not to start avoiding touching things and still working a bit about contamination in my apartment (I have chain type contamination OCD that is disgust based, not getting sick based). I hate this😭
I want to beat OCD because I’m tired of worrying about if something has been contaminated with raw meat especially raw chicken after I touch it and spread the contaminates around.
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
