Think my contamination OCD got a lot worse

This used to be something that didn't bother me at all. Contamination OCD is something that gradually built up into something that I now feel I have to do on a daily basis. I feel like I had to watch my hands after I touch almost every little thing. If I touch the door, the wall, especially the garbage, I have to wash my hands. I also worry about airborne contamination a lot. I tend to focus heavily on things like toothbrushes and I will take it and wash the brush part just so that any germs I think are there are no longer there. Then I further worry about needing to do it again unless something bad will happen so I do. Then I worry about another thing on top of that. It's pretty draining.

Aure Amore

Date posted: Yesterday

😲 The way I feel like I might as well have amnesia and have written this myself and then forgotten all about it!! YOU ARE IN MY BRAIN TOO! 🤯 This is verbatim my everyday experience... I HATE going out because of it. I have to carry with me hand sanitizer anywhere because if I don't, then I can't touch my phone, my steering wheel, my clothes. Ugh. Idk I have like designated things that "can" and "can't" be touched around me at any given time... LOL And now that I'm living with precious cats again. 🫠 I used to love cats... I mean, I still do... but the contamination 🥴🤪🤠😭🤢😵😵‍💫 it has absolutely also gradually built up to way over 9000 for me. 😅😂

Ocd12026

Date posted: 21h

Yeah I feel like I am neglecting my pets abit. Though they do have a great life. I know what you mean.

winterdays

Date posted: 22h

I fully understand, I struggle a lot with contamination OCD too. It will get better I promise. I know it’s difficult, but EXPOSURE is the key, trust me. If you want to talk about it I’m here 🫶🏻

Ocd12026

Date posted: 22h

Yes completely agree.

userName6776_

Date posted: 21h

Omg this is literally what I go through too and it doesn’t make it better when you’ve kind of inherited this from your mother and she has undiagnosed contamination ocd too

pureolife

Date posted: 18h

The same way it built up over time, you can start breaking it down over time. Start by resisting your compulsions more. If you usually repeat something 3 times, try bringing it down to 2. If you’re washing your hands 10 times a day try bringing it down to 8. Nothing in you is broken and with some effort you can make this more manageable again.

BigGyro09

Date posted: 15h

Hi. I'm currently resisting compulsions right now when it comes to the water I'm drinking. The store had an incident that got the fire department involved but I'm assuming the water is restocked and I got it from over there. I drank some of the water thinking it's ok because other people were going to this store too. My contamination OCD is going off the charts but this usually happens when I think I shouldn't have drunk or digested something that could be contaminated when it actually isn't. It was completely sealed and not opened so that also helps I think. I'm just hoping I can make it all more manageable by reducing the compulsions slowly.

pureolife

Date posted: 8h

@BigGyro09 Keep in mind the goal is not to reduce the anxiety, fear, or doubt. It’s to reduce compulsions. So when you drink or eat you will feel scared, and that’s ok! The point is not to let that stop you and to resist compulsions.

BigGyro09

Date posted: 7h

@pureolife Thanks for always being such a big help! :)

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond