OCD and hand washing

I truly understand how you feel.The specific handwashing rituals, counting behaviors, and intrusive thoughts you are experiencing are common manifestations of OCD. It's important to remember that these thoughts are a result of the disorder and don't reflect your true intention. you gradually expose yourself to feared situations (like touching a surface and not washing your hands) and learn to resist performing compulsions. This helps to reduce anxiety over time.Or, set a time for resisting and gradually increase the time of resistance. Practice mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, or progressive muscle relaxation to help reduce anxiety and increase your ability to tolerate uncertainty it is so helpful. Work on identifying and challenging negative or irrational thoughts related to your obsessions. Consider using cognitive restructuring techniques to replace these thoughts with more rational, balanced ones. Foe example: If I don't wash my hands for exactly the right amount of time, I will get my loved ones sick.Steps to Challenge the Thought: Recognize when you have the negative thought. It might be when you're about to finish washing your hands or when you start to feel anxious about not washing them long enough. Ask yourself questions to challenge the validity of the thought. For example: Have my loved ones actually gotten sick from me not washing my hands a certain number of times in the past? Is it more likely that will get my loved ones sick by constantly washing my hands and causing skin irritation? Gradually expose yourself to situations that trigger your obsessions without engaging in compulsions. Start with less distressing situations and work your way up to more challenging ones. Remember that overcoming OCD takes time and persistence.it is so much important to believe in yourself.

You're welcome. It's understandable, but remember OCD always tells lies, and by practicing enough, you can overcome all those fears. Try to see your thoughts as an observer and remember that you are not your thoughts and these are common in OCD. They are just produced by your mind due to OCD. The more you try not to react to them, the less your mind will produce them. As for anxiety, you will learn to trust your body to process it and let the anxiety go. I wish you a good recovery soon.