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Username: ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

I guess this is kind of reassurance seeking, but I'm curious as to what is "normal" for non-contamination ocd people. Do you guys wash your hands after handling things in your house? After literally just stepping out of the shower, I just accidentally touched something I purchased today. Normally I would wash my hands, but my husband discouraged me from doing so because he knew it would start a spiral of still not feeling clean and wanting to wipe things down. So then I had to open my drawers, put on my pajamas, and get into bed/touch our clean bedding. I'm obviously veryyyy uncomfortable. Is this something that would even register as a red flag on anyone's radar? I know some people have taken to wiping groceries down during the pandemic, but that's not the concern in this case.

Contamination OCD

Username: LinkLink

Date posted: 4y ago

I completely understand. I do the same thing ?. It’s so frustrating!

Username: AlyoshaAlyosha

Date posted: 4y ago

First, that’s awesome you went ahead and got dressed and got into bed, etc., despite feeling very uncomfortable. Well done. Second, I think your husband is “normal” (doesn’t havencontamination issues), right? It sounds like he doesn’t wash his hands after touching things in your house. It’s likely he could be a good role model for what normal looks like, maybe? Whatcha think? Again, that was brave of you to get into bed when you still felt dirty. I understand the need for bed to be “clean zone.”

Username: ans87ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

Thank you! No, my husband does not have contamination ocd but has been such a huge supporter of my journey. Even little things like that are tough, but it's all part of it

Username: sara235sara235

Date posted: 4y ago

Totally relate to this. And good job in doing an exposure

Username: ans87ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

Thank you! Funny how they happen when you least expect it sometimes

Username: sara235sara235

Date posted: 4y ago

@ans87 Right? Doing exposures has been really challenging for me through the pandemic because of so much uncertainty. But it’s so important for us to try and keep our eyes on the prize. (Easier said that some...) You’re not alone. And seeing your post reminds me that I’m not alone either.

Username: ans87ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

@sara235 I completely agree about the pandemic. I've been so anxious about exposures because my dad is severely immunocompromised and even something as simple as the common cold could be devastating for him. So it definitely adds an extra level of anxiety. You're so right...the key is to keep moving forward. Even little victories are still victories and equates to progress in the right direction. This has been the hardest thing I've ever had to work through but this has been a really supportive community and I'm glad to have the opportunity to interact with encouraging people such as yourself who know exactly what I'm going through.

Username: ans87ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

In my mind, I handled the item (a package of soap) after being in my car touching the dirty steering wheel and so its covered in germs from money and other people

Username: Meg&HerOcd Meg&HerOcd

Date posted: 4y ago

I mean everyone’s OCD is different and there are so many ways it can present in self. And while ocd is much more debilitating than just washing hands after touching things, it can definitely be a symptom. For most people, their contamination ocd had been going on wayyyy before covid happened. So basically, ppl with ocd have a scary intrusive thought and their ocd tells them “if they don’t wash their hands or clean that down or do this ritual...so and so will happen.” Often times it’s more serious than just germs. It’s usually like “if I don’t clean this, my daughter will touch it and get sick and die” “if I don’t wash my hands enough than I’ll contaminate an older person” “I have to do this or something terrible will happen” or at least that’s what it feels like for me and of what I’ve heard from other ppl. I definitely don’t wanna discredit what you’re feeling, I just wanted to explain it more because I’ve seen a lot of people during this pandemic become more hyper aware of germs and jump quickly to thinking it’s OCD.

Username: ans87ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

My OCD is much more than this. This is just one particular instance. Believe me, I'd be grateful if a little extra handwashing was my biggest concern. I've been having my life ruined by ocd for 3 years now and I'm desperately trying and failing to overcome this.

Username: ans87ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

I am fully aware of what my ocd is and what it entails. Try 4 hour showers and still not feeling clean, or only using the bathroom once a day, or not having pants with a zipper that works because I'm convinced I'll contract a disease from clothes shopping, or eating only one meal a day when my husband gets home from work and makes it because handling groceries sends me into a washing and cleaning spiral that lasts hours.

Username: Meg&HerOcd Meg&HerOcd

Date posted: 4y ago

Also a lot of contamination OCD isn’t just germs. It often shows up as a fear of people places and things. Like I can’t let somebody who I don’t like, touch some thing of mine. I have to throw it out. Or like I can’t have certain furniture in my room because it’s contaminated with a bad thought or memory. Stuff like that.

Username: sara235sara235

Date posted: 4y ago

That should say “easier said than done”. Dang autocorrect

Username: Team Uncerta...

User type: NOCD Alumni

Date posted: 4y ago

Does anyone have any tips for recognizing when contamination worries are becoming obsessive vs. when it’s a typical reaction to the current pandemic situation? I don’t really have contamination fears but I find myself really worrying about any interactions I’ve had when I go out somewhere now. For example I went out to pick up an item yesterday (with a mask and everyone around me had a mask of course) but the woman helping me at the store was definitely closer than she should’ve been (she was also wearing a mask) so now I have a small worry she could’ve passed COVID onto me. I’m not asking for reassurance that I don’t have it, because obviously no one can tell me for certain, but I would just like to know how this sounds to anyone who experiences a similar dilemma.

Username: catattak

Date posted: 4y ago

Question around contamination ocd and ethics. If you can give feedback I'd so appreciate it. I have a fear right now that over touched something in my house contaminated with covid. Rationally it's so unlikely its contaminated. Just the side of a bookshelf I may have touched yesterday when I felt my hands were contaminated. Realistically i never should have had the concern to begin with. However, i feel guilty doing erp to ignore it, because by not washing my hands and continuing to touch common surfaces in my house, I feel i am spreading it. Is it unfair to my husband to push past and keep going because then hes exposed to what I've touched? ERP gets a lot more confusing when addressing fears that you yourself are the one spreading contamination because you have independence and dominion over yourself to say "I agree to this exposure". When you fear you are the person doing the spreading, its other peoples dominion. Thoughts? Help? Any philosophers out there? Lol

Contamination OCD

Username: Tyler

Date posted: 4y ago

Does anyone else worry about the container of alcohol wipes being contaminated itself? How do y'all deal with contamination fears in the COVID era? Ive never had these fears before a month ago and they're centered around groceries being contaminated. Even though I have read everywhere that it's an unlikely mode of transmission, I'm gripped by fear when I touch groceries at home. I find wiping them down triggering because I do it over and over again until it feels right. Anyone have any guidance?

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