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.

Something a therapist had said to me regarding this was pretty much what upon mentioned at the end- no one can tell you for certain, not even yourself, we all (even people without ocd) just have to accept the uncertainty of this, and continue to follow CDC guidelines as we're doing, that's all we can do. Even getting tested doesn't help with the uncertainty because the thought will be "what if I got covid while I was waiting for the results" or something, so ALL we can do is accept the uncertainty, and just keep doing the protective measures CDC recommends.

There is an episode on “The OCD Stories” podcast with Dr Jon Grayson - Coronavirus and OCD. Might be very helpful if you are dealing with OCD and intrusive thoughts surrounding the pandemic. As @CR said, i would follow CDC guidelines, but nothing more. Doing more would be a compulsion and making your OCD more powerful. Best of luck!

After doing what is suggested by CDC/WHO/etc., worrying won’t help whether from OCD or the “more reasonable” amount that non-sufferers feel. So after I’ve done what I’m supposed to, if I’m getting anxious, even in the middle of a grocery aisle, I just stop, close my eyes, take some breaths, and assess how much more I think I can handle and set that as my goal. Like if I am on my last item and then have checkout, I say, “Ok, do those last tasks, then you can get home or even yell in your car to vent and move on.” If I still have half a list, I decide if I can still get all the items or if I need to shorten my trip so that I don’t completely melt down in the store or just after. Sending you peace. 💜

Thank you everyone ❤️