I work at a restaurant and it’s normal to somewhat feel the need to clean a lot of areas to keep the restaurant hospitable. But it’s so obsessive. My hands are incredibly dry because (I am not being dramatic) every minute I am using hand sanitizer and I keep a towel on me so I can wipe tables even if I watched them get wiped down. This isn’t just at my job, but it’s just one of the many examples.
I have contamination OCD too. You must stop using sanitizer. Don't carry it with you. Only wash hands once" when necessary not repeatedly" ..you have to stop the action" of what you Do, you cant control thoughts but only way to improve anything is by not" doin constant compulsions which ONLY leads to more n more compulsions. Try to limit your hand washing as best you can step by step ...do your Best!👍👍
I've struggled with contamination OCD for a long time. Try using mild soap and warm water on your hands and buy a good hand cream. Therapy and medication have helped me.
I understand your struggle. I don’t know if you’re getting counseling for OCD or not. I have been with NOCD about 2 years and it has been a huge help. OCD is really about doubt. I find that helpful because no matter the “theme” it is about doubt. Such as, Did I insult someone by what I said? Was there COVID on the door knob I just touched? Am I …? So as we slowly get used to the doubt and let the anxiety be there with out doing the thought or action to alleviate the anxiety we are letting our selves know that we don’t need to listen to all the messages our brain is sending us. Is it hard to do? Absolutely.Is it worth it? Absolutely. I have found it helpful having an OCD counselor to help me draw up a plan of attack to say “No” to OCD. The only difference between me and you is what triggers us. I know you can say “No” to OCD.
I also work at a restaurant and I wash my hands so much that by the end of my shift they’re cracking and bleeding and burning, on top of the sometimes 20 minutes of washing my hands every time I feel contaminated at home everyday. You’re not alone
Another imagined scenario at work tonight when washing my hands at the break room sink - every time I finished rinsing my hands, my brain convinced me I had taken them and rubbed them all over the sink. Like cleaning the sink with them in place of a wipe or something. Just over and over. So naturally my response is, oh darn let's wash them again. I was in there forever. This has happened to me when people are in there too and it's so mortifying because I can't stop, and I know people can see me. People waiting to use the sink (or bathroom if I'm in there) makes my compulsions SO much worse. It's just exhausting.
I’ve washed my hands until I had contact dermatitis before and my hands bled. I’m on top of that now. I was with only water unless they are really dirty then I use soap. My brain keeps on telling me that this isn’t enough and it is dirty. Can someone give me a bit of common sense please so I can avoid scaly hands
Agh, this irritates me so much. My hands and skin are tight and dry from going crazy because I keep being compulsive and washing them. I hadn’t left the house in over a week and I still want to fuss over my hands. I know it’s OCD and I know that half the viruses floating in my mind aren’t near me, but I still feel like I’m gonna catch a fatal illness if I don’t obsess over my hands.
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