I know with some people, their obsessions and compulsions change over time and don’t do their past rituals anymore. For me, I have done the same rituals I’ve done for 4 years but mine do change as well. It’s almost like I hang onto my old ones and add new ones so now I’m just stuck with a crazy number of rituals that keeps getting added to? can anyone else relate?

Absolutely!!! Fuck me OCD sucks!! For some reason my brain reminds me of every single ritual and compulsive action I’ve ever had and then as I develop more they just get added to the archives!!

Yesss? I have bad contamination ocd as well, and it just keeps getting more restrictive, adding things to the list of what's contaminated? Trying to break the circle and wash doorknobs less and all that, but it's easier said than done. So I get it :)

I also used to go to the gym and go about my day in my place but now it’s a 30 min wiping showering laundry ritual right after. I go to school and work a lot and just don’t have time to deal with that. I spend an hour a day and another hour each week just on de contaminating. It’s so hard and I’ve been away this past few days I didn’t have to deal with any of that and I miss my old life so much

I know, I can barely remember my life without ocd. I hope I can get a little bit of it back at least. Even visiting friends is stressful to me. If I happen to see something on their couch that I feel is contaminated, I can't stop thinking about it. And it's kind of hard engaging in a conversation the whole evening while trying to sort out ocd stuff at the same time. It's all just exhausting. And don't even get me started on public toilets.. ? I wish treatment was easier too??

Yep! My routines just multiply bit by bit. I’m so sick of wasting so much fine!! ?

Washie. Same with me. I created rituals that I can no longer undo. I over wipe and over wash things. I think seeing something gross means it contaminated me and it makes me think everything I wore and came across with that day is now contaminated. I can’t even go to the grocery store after work because I think I’m fully contaminated and cannot touch items. I over wipe and over wash and I spray things many many times with cleaner

I’ve been trying to reduce it but it’s just gotten worse and more out of control the more I try to add rituals

Lark: Our ocd is very similiar, the constant washing and feeling like contamination moves from item to item, and then suddenly "everything" is dirty. I just used 3 wipes cleaning doorknobs. I know I shouldn't, but as you know, that intense feeling of stress and disgust is really hard to sit with? I also feel like the floor has outside contamination from shoes and have to wash anything I drop. It's such a struggle in my life. I try to focus on finding ways to get better. Exercise, trying out different diets and so on.. You're not alone. Stay positive. It's possible to get a lot better! :) ☀️

Thanks washie. I found things were slightly better when I minimized carbs and sugar but now I’m back in full swing and eat a lot of both. I also cannot exercise because the gym and gym germs also freak me out. Do you find it helps you?

Oh I can't go to the gym either *chills* lol. I have an elliptical trainer at home that I use. I don't know how much it does for the ocd, but it definitely makes me feel better about things in general. I tried 10 days without dairy as well (read everywhere that it could help), but that didn't do anything for me.?‍♀️

I had that too but im learning to let the thought happen and let it go.

The healthy part of the brain knows that it's a complete waste of time and energy. I never had any excessive cleaning rituals before I got ocd, and I was completely okay then too. I remind myself of that from time to time. =)