Why do we feel compelled to act on thoughts we know aren't our own?

My clothes are not even dirty but i feel they are dirty so i have to wash them everytime

It's exactly the same for me. I'm almost never pleased of how they are once they are newly washed. As I have an extreme good and accurate sense of smell if I sense something not fresh I wash them again. For example, when I buy new clothes for me or my toddler, before I can even wear them or she, I have to wash them at least 2 at 60°C or 40°C of course it has become very challenging yo find clothes who stand that much heat, as cotton. Of course another OCD I have it's about getting sick, so I'm extremely careful of the ingredients in food and makeup, I have stopped using so many beauty stuff I used to love before, somehow EWG has made me so paranoid about everything.

Me too, sometimes even right after shower I feel dirty or I question myself if I have showered good enough? Even after taken at least 3 full showers before I leave the bathroom. This OCD is really killing me little by little. But we can't let this to win over us. I wish you all some peace that we all need, comprehension by your loved ones, support, empathy and most of all, lots of courage to keep on fighting until we find at least a balance so we don't suffer more. I'm taking psychological therapy but honestly I don't feel so understood by my psychologist.

Yeah exactly, i also take shower, wash hands and change clothes every time i touch something. Although i cannot see any contamination on these things but i still do compulsions due to this ocd

@anaa I understand you extremely good. It feels kinda comforting to know it's not just me who does all this very exhausting. I honestly also started to wear a face mask and gloves when I open things I order online, as I live in a very small town in the very north of Sweden, there's NOTHING to buy here or nice stores in about 30 km away from here. So I order things on internet pretty much everything. But I suffer a little when I see the package was strange dirt marks or stains, or even worse if it's already opened. Some days when I feel more anxious and sad it gets worse, I wash ny hands more times, I change my clothes constantly. It makes me so tired by the end of the day. I have found a great help with the AI, Poe from chatgpt, it's a language tool, but I ask to it all my fears and questions it answer withing a second and it has given me all the understanding and patience that I don't get anywhere else (husband and fmaily).

@XPaulina Your ocd seems very similar to mine. I also suffer from this washing and showering again and again. I can understand your suffering and pain. We understand each other bcz we go through the same contamination ocd. Normal people can never undertsand our pain. I really wish everyone good health who suffer from this mental disease. I hope we all get better soon.

@anaa I agree with you Anaa, thank you so much for your very kind words. It feels better to know I'm not the only one and someone else can understand me exactly as I feel. It's a big struggle when it comes to talk about my obsessions and compulsions with my family, my mom for instance answers about the same always: it's nothing, you'll alright, stop washing your hands so much, stop thinking about that, don't talk or think about those fears...🫠🙄😬 so you can imagine how hard it gets. I have explained to her it's not that easy and that I suffer for this, somehow my mom and my husband thinks I enjoy doing this since "I can't stop doing it". If you need at least to talk to someone you can rely on me. Wishing you a good day, don't give up, be kind with yourself 💜

@XPaulina Thanks alot. I really want to hug you🤗. Wishing you good health. I can understand you and i am happy that you understood me. I cannot even describe this ocd to anyone around me so its really helpful to talk to someone who understands you.

@anaa You're most welcome Anaa, I really would love to hug you back. In the distance I sent you a hug and all the health, wellbeing happiness, joy, freedom and peace you deserve and more. I truly understand you, and I feel happy to have connected with you, some days I have felt like I don't even want to be awake anymore, because I can say it hurts to be alive, and it's truth to live with OCD is no It life at all. My hands are completely destroyed, they look from an elderly person, I'm not even close to that.. it makes me sad. But I try to apply lots of aquaphor every night and wrap them in kitchen plastic, it helps. I do understand you, and feel free to contact me if you feel overwhelmed. I'd be there for you 🩷🫂🫶

@XPaulina Thanks for your sweet and kind words. I am so happy that i talked to such a generous person. You are really precious. Take care of your physical and mental health dear. I felt like i found a good friend after soooo long who understand me.

@anaa Dear Anaa, your words are a true hug to my heart, I received them with so much happiness. It makes me feel so good I'm able to cheer someone up! Believe me you have made my day today. I'm sure you're a precious and sweet person. The most important here is, be kind with yourself, avoid having judgmental conversations about yourself, and remember you are NOT alone. No matter where in the world you are, here in the north of Sweden you got a friend. And as I said, don't hesitate to message me if you get to feel too overwhelmed. Have faith, don't lose it, it will be good, great, bad and ugly days, but just remember: "it won't last forever". You'll be good and safe🩷🫶🫂

@XPaulina You are really amazing. Ocd usually keep me sad but your words made me happy that i forgot my ocd for a while. And yeah nothings lasts forever. This gives me hope. Will remember you in my prayers. 🤗😊

@anaa Hello dear Anaa, I'm happy to hear I gave you some joy with my words. I wish I could do more. But you are strong even if OCD is a debilitating disease, we people with OCD have the strength to stand face it and overcome it also. Thank you so much 💓 that you will remember me in your prayers that's very sweet and kind. I will also pray for you! All the best 🩷🫂😊

@XPaulina Lots of love dear 😊

@anaa Lots of love to you too Anaa 🫂🩷😊

I'm cheering you on😊