- Username
- OCDWarrior17
- Date posted
- 49w ago
Hi
I have contamination OCD which I’ve had since 2016. Does anyone have any steps or plans to start to overcome it that I could try? I’m on medication and have had long term therapy.
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 49w ago
I think within the general framework of OCD treatment, contamination OCD can be treated by accepting uncertainty and I'll provide some examples "Maybe this item is dirty, maybe it isnt" "Maybe I will get sick from that item, maybe I won't" "Maybe I am dirty, or maybe I am clean enough" I think acceptance of uncertainty and imperfection, as well as limiting compulsions, can help treat this theme effectively I'm sure a session with NOCD can also help if they are not your current provider and if you haven't seen OCD specialists before (because sometimes talk therapy isn't enough or helpful, particularly for OCD)
- Username
- cyc1017 cyc1017
- Date posted
- 49w ago
My daughter has contamination OCD and is finally functioning very well. She went to a doctor who started her on Sertraline and did exposure therapy with her for a year or so. Learning to accept uncertainty (as you stated) is key. Also learning to live more in the gray rather than having everything be black or white. We are amazed and oh so grateful that our daughter has overcome her "living hell."
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@cyc1017 That's amazing to hear, glad it's working out well
- Username
- cyc1017 cyc1017
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@A23 Thank you. She has 2 precious sons and she fought through for them ❤️
- Username
- JennielouisesJennielouises
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@A23 Yes I agree with this, although I haven’t managed it myself. I’ve done exposure and had times I’ve been able to manage my ocd but it always comes back as I haven’t treated the route cause. I can’t accept uncertainly as I don’t think I’ll cope with feeling uncomfortable. I therefore feel I need to control everything
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@Jennielouises Maybe some sort of long term anxiety therapist would be beneficial?
- Username
- JennielouisesJennielouises
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@A23 If only I could afford that. Others have learned to accept uncertainty so it must be possible
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@Jennielouises Yeah some insurances also cover short term anxiety coaching, there's a program called AbleTo
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@Jennielouises Long term strategies that may help also include exercise, meditation and journaling
- Username
- JennielouisesJennielouises
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@A23 So I find for me, journaling makes me ruminate. But I do think I need to do the others. I also feel for me that doing daily mental exercise will help. I haven’t had a chance to focus on my mental health since Jan as my son has been so ill. So I’ve lost my fitness, just like you would if you stopped going to the gym
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 49w ago
@Jennielouises Oh, best wishes for your son to recover 💙
- Username
- TanyaShelby22TanyaShelby22
- Date posted
- 49w ago
hey, i really feel for you dealing with contamination ocd since 2016, it sounds incredibly tough. sticking with medication and therapy is a big step, and i admire your dedication to finding more ways to cope. 💪 have you heard about "unstuck"? it's an ai-powered therapy tool specifically for ocd (unstuckmyOCD.com). it's been a game-changer for me this past month, and i think it might offer you some new strategies. someone here recommended it to me, and i only wish i'd discovered it sooner!
Related posts
- Username
- Acacia Mathews
- Date posted
- 24w ago
OCD Flare Ups
Hi guys! Hope everyone is having a beautiful week. I did therapy with a therapist on here and it helped me hugely, I had next to no OCD symptoms for almost 8 months, but recently it’s been flaring up again. I am much better at handling intrusive thoughts and going on with my day but I just have this huge fear of it getting as bad as it was last year. I was unable to get out of bed for 3 months because the intrusive thoughts were so debilitating. I never went to feel that way again. Does anyone have tips on how they deal with OCD flare ups and how they bring themselves back down to a happy medium? Thank you all 🤍
- Username
- Bobby10
- Date posted
- 24w ago
Harm OCD and Contamination
I’m looking for some help with this, of course OCD themes switch and lately it really is about harming others through contamination. Every time I touch something almost I have constant thoughts “if I don’t do this this means I want to hurt my family or loves one” but the thought feels so real like I want to do it, but obviously I don’t and gives me so much anxiety. Last couple months I was really spending a lot of time washing my hand from counting but now it’s got to the point that I can’t do anything without having thoughts that if I don’t clean or wash myself it means I want to get someone sick. It’s scary and I’m trying to not engage into the thoughts but they keep popping up. Any tips with harm contamination OCD and reducing these crazy thoughts? It almost feels like I want to have these thoughts but really they scare me if that’s makes sense? Any help would be awesome, thanks!!
- Username
- user2826728292
- Date posted
- 17w ago
My ocd is taking away my life
I’m losing it completely, I’ve never had a flare up like this with contamination. I’m so burnt out seriously , I feel like I’m going insane. My hands are cracking and bleeding from washing them and my family’s getting very tired of me , they think I should go stay in a hospital or something for a while because of how bad it is. OCD as taken away my relationships with people , I can’t sit on the couch anymore with my family , I can’t hug my dog anymore , I can’t relax ever. I just needed to write this down as I really can’t process my feelings right now as I have too many thoughts , any advice?
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond