I live in a college dorm where there is a communal shower but I live in a room with my own private bathroom. I am very thankful but now I have this irrational fear that if I shower at the same time as someone else using the communal bathroom that somehow germs will get in my water and get on me. I don’t know what to do. I’m actually scared to get in the shower now. What do I do?
Are you currently seeing a therapist?
@LA Gordon Yes
I know what it’s like to have struggles with the shower for me I have an had two where one I’d have to wash myself a specific way in the shower to be clean and two I was abs am lol afraid of sperm and think that it’s in the shower 💕
You might not like this answer but you need to use the shower. That's the only way to get over the fear. We call this ERP therapy. You could start with just a little water on your hand. Then sit with the anxiety and tell yourself you may or may not have germs on you. There's no way to know. Then expose yourself to more water trying your best to remain calm and say " I may or may not have germs on me now"
You flagged me? You do know a therapist will tell you the exact same thing I just told you right? I'm honestly trying to help you. ERP therapy is the most effective treatment for OCD. More effective with mindfulness and acceptance of uncertainty. But ask your therapist if you don't think my advice is helpful.
@StoicGuy I don’t know what you’re talking about. What do you mean by flagged?
@ATLAfan164 Someone flagged my reply to you O have no idea why sorry I assumed it was you:( Honestly I know my suggestion is scary but my advice is what a therapist will suggest. I know because I'm going through therapy right now doing ERP and have read a lot about OCD treatment. Regardless I do hope you find relief.
@ATLAfan164 If touching the water is too scary you could start with touching the tub or somewhere the water touches and work your way up to touching the water. You could also try mental exposure of touching the water before you move in to my other suggestions. Ask your therapist for ideas on a hierarchy and I hope these ideas help.
I am starting to come to grips with intrusive thoughts, reading how your brain will think of the worst thing / or make you think of something that really distresses you. BUT, I’ve got something I need to get off my chest, not looking for reassurance but just to know I’m not alone I guess? I remember one time, I saw a girl I follow on Instagram go on a marathon, and then went straight out for dinner after without showering and I had the passing thought of, gosh she must smell, even worse, she must smell down there. That has got to be the worst intrusive thought EVER, and because it affected me so much, I have the urge to think of this horrible horrible thought most times I look at people. Wondering if they smell!!!! It’s disgusting!!!! :( I don’t know if this is because I also have contamination ocd and I do obsess about feeling and being clean.
hi, this is a really embarrassing and personal thing to ask or you but i have severe contamination ocd and i just need to know what’s normal. -please don’t judge and be considerate i wasn’t taught this growing up how do you guys wash down there and wash your behind? i’ve been over washing and it’s hurting- i’m so tired of it —do you guys also wash your hands in the shower after washing these places?
I need advice. I’m constantly washing my hands after going to the bathroom/touching something I find gross, but it doesn’t stop at just washing. I have to keep washing til I feel right (usually 3-4 times). It also isn’t just my hands, I go all the way up my forearms. I know in my head that once is enough. But I can’t kick this repetitive behavior. I know I should just start only washing it once but I don’t know if I can handle the panic that will come after. I need advice/tips if anyone’s gone through something similar what worked for you. Im just sick of this
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond
