Is there anyone here currently doing/ or has done ERP for contamination ocd? I am about to start ERP for my severe contamination ocd here in the next few weeks and I’m very reluctant and scared. I’m hoping someone could give me some idea of what is has been like for them and how they feel about ERP? I’m worried that it might not be successful and I’ll be putting myself through all of the stress for nothing. Thanks y’all!

I have done ERP for contamination OCD and have improved dramatically. I used to wash my hands until they were so dry they would crack and bleed, had elaborate cleaning rituals, avoided all sorts of perceived contamination etc. I have taken ERP one step at a time and gone gradually and have improved so much. I still wash my hands somewhat more than most people and have some issues with food contamination, but overall my level of distress has decreased so much and my life is so much better.

My OCD started with contamination back when I was in elementary school. This was when OCD was just beginning to be researched and it was rare for a child my age to be diagnosed. So, ERP was not really a thing yet but I had a school counselor who I had to see regularly who did something similar to ERP with me. She made me say out loud the things that grossed me out and made me feel like I had to wash my hands. Even when it made me gag, she made me say it out loud and wouldn’t let me run to the bathroom to wash my hands. I hated it at the time and threw some major tantrums because she wouldn’t let me do my compulsion (I was only 7) but it did help me overcome the contamination piece. Obviously, I still have OCD and I struggle with obsessions and compulsions daily but the contamination OCD is not a very big part of my life anymore at all. Now that ERP is actually a type of therapy and is in fact considered the golden standard for OCD treatment, I believe it is probably extremely helpful for people with contamination issues. I hope it will help you in the way that counselor helped me.

I’m about to start intensive treatment as well and I am terrified. I purchased a book that I heard about on The OCD Stories podcast. It’s called Daring to Challenge OCD by Joan Davidson. It’s about overcoming your fear of treatment. Hope this helps and best wishes to you in your recovery.

Thank y’all so much! That’s is all so encouraging. I am so happy to here that y’all have been successful with this. I hope so much that it will work for me as well!! Thank you all so much