- Date posted
- 44w
Handwashing OCD
Has anyone else struggled with handwashing in their OCD? I’m interested in hearing other stories about different experiences with it
Has anyone else struggled with handwashing in their OCD? I’m interested in hearing other stories about different experiences with it
Yes, it’s one of my main struggles. I have went through different phases. At one point I washed so much my hands were always cracked and bleeding. Im now down to washing 2 times in a row instead of however many times I did in the past, no more cracked & bleeding hands for the most part but I still spend way too long on those 2 times.
@Anonymousoverthinker1 Thank you for sharing ❤️
Yeah, I still cannot interact w must surfaces. I honestly wanted to tackle my contamination fears as soon as possible but I developed really bad hand eczema and rashes and didn’t want to risk damaging the skin further by exposing myself too much. I’m quite embarrassed by the state of my room and the dirty places I’ve left untouched bc of my hand washing/contamination problem. 😭😅Maybe this is my calling to start! I can say, one positive outcome is my hands have FINALLY healed after two years. So if your hands are suffering from your OCD, I can tell you it does heal!!!! Just lots of hand creams and invest in a good, sensitive soap. ☺️
@Chibee Thank you for sharing ❤️
my hands are always so dry and I find it hard when washing them because I don’t want to touch the taps when they are clean too so after I’ve touched the taps I use hand sanitiser to “be sure” they are clean, I wish I didn’t wash them as much but always feel like I need to they just don’t feel clean after touching any objects. It’s something I need to work on for sure , I do it a lot with exposure
@ambermayx Thank you for sharing❤️
Yes, I have. Though it never became severe.
@Nica how to define severe?
@bingbongsingh My hands *weren’t* bleeding and blistered from washing so much.
Yes, I still struggle but not as bad as before
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
Recently, I’ve been struggling a ton with what I eat/put into my body? I’m a first year college student with a few different health issues (including IBS), and lately it’s been hard for me to find food on campus that doesn’t upset my stomach. I also have pretty severe emetophobia, and feel extremely anxious when I feel sick. The ironic thing is that being anxious makes me feel even worse, so I end up sticking myself in an impossible loophole. My OCD has taken hold of these fears over the past few months, and it’s been such a struggle. Especially since people have been getting food poisoning from various dining halls on my campus lately. My OCD has gotten so bad that sometimes I’m too afraid to eat food other than what I buy myself. I feel so trapped. I don’t want my OCD to affect my physical health or prevent me from eating, bc I love eating!! It’s the fear of getting sick that’s the problem. And it’s even harder when everything is so unfamiliar. Just wondering if anyone could relate. Advice is appreciated!
Hi, I’m new to this app and newly diagnosed. Question for you all, What things did you normalize and do without a second thought that when diagnosed, you realized was actually your OCD? Mine was how concerned with germs I am. I hold my breath when I open a door so the rush of wind doesn’t infect my lungs from whatever is in the room. I thought everyone was really careful and concerned like me. But Ive learned it’s not normal the lengths I go to. What was yours?
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