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

Link

Date posted: 4y ago

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

Alyosha

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.”

ans87

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

sara235

Date posted: 4y ago

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

ans87

Date posted: 4y ago

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

sara235

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.

ans87

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.

ans87

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

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.

ans87

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.

ans87

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.

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.

sara235

Date posted: 4y ago

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

Mariie

Date posted: 25w ago

Does anyone have the same thoughts?

Does anyone have harm OCD related to recent events? Like events that just happened or happened not long ago? I feel like my OCD is trying to find something bad/immoral I could have done in nearly every situation that I am experiencing, for example “Did you just do that?”. And I constantly want to check, ask people for reassurance, try to find a logic answer by going it though in my head,… It’s many different themes but all related to doing sth bad/immoral (e.g., touching someone inappropriately, pushing someone in front of a vehicle, putting something in a drink/food). Does anyone have the same? Or the other thing that I experienced recently is that I did something (a rather unimportant action, not harming anyone) and I go over and over it and ask myself “why did you do that? What does that say about you? Are you actually a weird person?” It feels like I draw “false conclusions” from a real event… I don’t know if that’s OCD though or not. Just wondering if anyone has experienced the same. Good luck to you all! We’re not alone in this! 😊

Lilly5679

Date posted: 22w ago

Is it in my head

I have constantly been feeling like if I hit one arm, I have to hit the other and if I set something down and it just didn’t look right or feel right I had to do it again or I had to move it to a different spot in my room I’ve had never been a clean freak, which is mainly what I get told is OCD And I don’t know if I should even have this app. I don’t know if I actually have it. I’m constantly worried that I did something in my past that harmed others and that’s why people don’t like me or I’m constantly worried People are constantly watching me and I don’t know if that’s OCD or if I have it so please tell me I will delete this app and never think of it again if I don’t I just really wanna know

user2826728292

Date posted: 21w ago

My ocd is taking away my life

I’m losing it completely, I’ve never had a flare up like this with contamination. I’m so burnt out seriously , I feel like I’m going insane. My hands are cracking and bleeding from washing them and my family’s getting very tired of me , they think I should go stay in a hospital or something for a while because of how bad it is. OCD as taken away my relationships with people , I can’t sit on the couch anymore with my family , I can’t hug my dog anymore , I can’t relax ever. I just needed to write this down as I really can’t process my feelings right now as I have too many thoughts , any advice?

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