Does anyone know why ocd still finds ways to dispute facts? I’ve had so much confirmation I don’t have STDs and my brain still finds ways to pick holes in it, and convince me I have reasons to be scared, why is this? I have tangible proof I’m okay and I STILL can’t fully relax?! I don’t get it I thought when I had std tests I’d be instantly fine

I was just going to say what Ramblin'Guy said, that it is very much a doubting disease. I've also read that it attacks or zeros in what you care and love the most in your life and makes you work hard overtime to protect that. So, say you're scared that you may have a STD and may pass it on to a loved one. The OCD zeros on to this and makes you believe that you haven't done enough, that there are more tests to be done to confirm. Falling into this trap, you avoid all intimacy with your partner because of this. Taking a STD test is being proactive and smart, but having to go to the OB/GYNE several times a month just to have tangible proof is OCD (here I'm just listing an example, not saying you've done such a thing, I don't want to offend you).

Can we ever be 100% certain of everything in life? It drives me bonkers at work because they keep emphasizing they want 200% reliability out of everything we do. No joke! I just have to laugh at that one.

So, you know if I answer your questions it will give you reassurance, which is counterproductive. I'm so sorry you're feeling this way right now. Do you have a therapist you can reach out to? The "what if", and the "buts" sound like OCD.

If you're still on the train and feeling anxious, it helps to take slow deep breaths. I hope you seek help from a mental health provider ot therapist. There are some really good ones out there. There is also a number on the Nocd app that can help you find a provider.

Ahahah, crikey this OCD really does make us think silly things ? Also - advice for next time. Possibly, rather than calling a sexual health helpline, call a mental health helpline instead. The issue here is your OCD not your sexual health, and it sounds like you've been using the helpline unnecessarily as a compulsion. If you use a mental health helpline instead, and tell them you have OCD, it might help you cope with the anxiety in a more helpful and healthy way ?

It could be classed as a checking compulsion. If you're doing something "just to make sure" when you're feeling anxious, then it's likely to be a compulsion. You just have to stop looking for the reassurance

I mean, obviously if it was that simple none of us would be here. I’ve struggled with Harm ocd, rocd, HOCD, contamination which included STDs. Yet when I get caught in a moment I still can’t see this for what it is. I mean I’m dealing with HOCD right now and I clearly cannot accept this or see it.

Please stay strong! You're not alone!?

Thankyou guys I had to sit with it because I was on the train I did call a sexual health helpline and they said it was unlikely but get tested if I’m THAT worried, but something in me said nah fuck that I’m sick of testing I told my partner when he picked me up too and he asked “was the blood on your hand fresh?” I said yes and he said “well then it’s yours then isn’t it” Logically speaking if my hand was bleeding and I touched a seat and there’s blood there it probably WAS mine...can’t believe I need these things literally spelled out sometimes ?

It’s because it’s the doubting disease unfortunately.

Is it literally that simple?

I actually have done exactly that I’ve had 13 negative tests in my life (never been told I have one) and I’ve had four negative tests in the last two months

It sounds like a health anxiety OCD thing to, if you've taken so many tests to confirm that you are STD-free, but need more tangible proof. I want to use caution here because I'm not a professional, but I do share your anxiety about having or needing 100% certainty in order to get on with life.

When I was diagnosed with OCD, I was devastated. I'm the person who is used to getting a clean bill of health everytime I visit the doctor. I'm in and out of the office in less than 10 min. But with this thing that I have now, I don't know how long it will take to get better. I've learned to accept it, adopt ways to manage it, and get on with life. So if I had a fear of contracting a STD and the worst case scenario did happen to become true, what are my options? I would seek medical advice, get treatment, use protection. OCD would tell me to withdraw from the world, avoid having any relationships with people, etc.

Well they said that it’s silly to get tested again now on the sexual health helpline unless I had sex with someone other than my partner (which I haven’t)

I have washed my hands so much all my skin is cracked and bleeding. I just got on the train and I’m pretty sure I touched the plastic seat head rest thing because there’s what looks like blood there now. What if it’s someone else’s though? And it got in my cut? Will I be infected now?

Oh I never thought it was a compulsion ?

I called the clinic I visited previously twice yesterday too to make sure I DEFINITELY had a rectal swab because my brain couldn’t remember if I had or not!!...I called my friend too and she was like “yeah I’m sure you would have, the amount you worry of course you would have had it all done” I’m just really scared to relax. Relaxing feelings negligent now