Hi Guys. Really rough day today. As you may have seen in my other posts, blood in the bathroom is my number one trigger. Today, at my work at the mall, I was in a rush and the toilet liner ripped. No big deal, but I stood up, I noticed blood the size a bit bigger than a quarter right in the area that I sat on where the liner ripped. This was clearly not mine. I was very distressed by it but had to get back to my job. I am not worried about illness but just purely disgusted. When I got home I was so upset I took an extra long shower and feel as though I’m still not clean. I feel like all my clothes and my bag are contaminated and even the soaps I used in the shower. I’m trying to practice all the therapy techniques but it’s not helloing. Ignoring it is not helping. I’m trying not to ruminate but I’m overwhelmed with feeling disgusted. Please send me some techniques on how to move on. I know disgust isn’t harmful and I can’t get sick from it yet the fact that it touched me still bothers me a lot.

Thanks everyone!! All your posts helped a ton. The anxiety did go down a lot. It helped for me to acknowkledge that I have done what I can and disgust is not going to harm me. It’s hard but I’m trying to move on. Thanks again for all the tips

Disgust is a harder emotion to habituate to than anxiety. Be patient with yourself. It's going to take a longer time without doing rituals for the feeling to fade

I know this feeling so well, not with blood anymore but other things like toxic chemicals etc. I know how it is to feel like something is “on you” and feels disgusting even if it isn’t a danger. I can say that with blood, germs etc I had to start sitting with it and exposing myself to it intentionally without washing afterwards. The exposure is so hard but after a couple months I would go to clean a bathroom and forget to even wear gloves until after I was done... or feelings of anxiety would sometimes come up when I was around blood and I would almost instantly let it go and forget about my OCD. ERP if consistently practiced really does help ! When I’m unsure if it’s my “OCD brain” talking or my “rational brain” I simply ask myself “how would someone else react ?”

This is my absolute worst ocd fear as well, Lark, so I get how you feel. Focus on that you've taken a shower w/soap, which means that you are clean, fact! (even if it feels like you're not). Most people probably wouldn't even notice, they would have just gone on with their day (and maybe not have taken a shower until the next morning). I understand how disgusting it must have been (not only ocd people would think that). But try telling yourself that "yes, that was gross, but I took a shower and I'm clean now, so I'm moving on from this." :)

God I fucking hate people. Dirty bastards!!!!!!!!! No fucking need for that howling behaviour, why don’t they clean after themselves it’s grotesque I’m sorry you’re feeling this way I would too if it’s any consolation. I’m not sure if any other techniques but people always say the anxiety decreases eventually so hang in there ?

Thanks guys. As an update, yes my anxiety has come down a lot. BUT. I’m still feeling dirty and I’m sure when I shower tonight I’m going to be long again. Even washing the clothes I wore, it may take me many times. I’m definitely frustrated that I didn’t check or notice it since I typically do and I’m frustrated that people are so rude to not clean up but trying not to focus on that. It’s so hard as even now I feel like I can still feel it in my hand which I know is not true. It’s almost like I was forced into a high exposure.