- Date posted
- 6y
- Date posted
- 6y
I wanted to be a nurse at one time but I couldn’t because of my contamination ocd. I was in school but when I did a clinical at the hospital that’s when I realized there’s no way I could do it which really sucks because I’m having a hard time figuring out what I want for a career. Ocd gets in the way a lot of the time..So I’d love to know the answer to this question as well if there is anyone on here!
- Date posted
- 6y
?♀️ yes there is at least me and one other nurse on this app. I did not start with contamination OCD, only you harm and then POCD, and then lastly I developed contamination. When I developed contamination it took me completely by surprise because I hadn’t had an issue with germs before. I basically had a meltdown slowly through half of 2018 and ended up having to quit my job for a while and was seeing a BUNCH of therapists. What actually worked best was getting my meds changed and then slowly re- engaging in my work. I still go to therapy 2x/ week. Everyday is a constant exposure and I choose 1-2 things to work on at a time. I am currently working on my fear of contaminating the IV. It helps most of my fear is of me making others sick, not myself
- Date posted
- 6y
Thanks for the responses! I have been a nurse for 3 1/2 years. I never had contamination ocd until my nursing career. I did have POCD/sexual thought ocd years ago, which got better! Anyway, my contamination ocd got to the point where I quit my job. My last day of work was 12/15. I’ve been trying to find jobs since then in healthcare/nursing that are more behind the scenes. No luck yet! I also just started therapy for the contamination ocd last week. Hoping to get help. WorriedDriver, you sound like me! Other than the fact that I fear I will get a disease vs making others sick.
- Date posted
- 6y
Some advice I got was go move to an area with less broad scope of practice ex: OR, psych, procedural area so that there are fewer variety of tasks and it’s easier to do ERP. I also take 200mg sertraline and 2mg of Abilify (started getting really depressed) and the combo has allowed me to get the OCD under control. I also switched units which helped because my old unit really triggered a lot of my OCD thoughts just because of bad memories of having so much panic about contamination there
Related posts
- Date posted
- 24w
Does anyone have any tips on how to handle contamination OCD?
- Date posted
- 24w
I just started my new job maybe a couple months ago and I’m officially off orientation. I had a couple shifts by myself but the anxiety I feel being alone is honestly beastly. I keep getting scared that I’ll end up giving my patients someone else’s medications, keep having thoughts of “what if I give patient A medications to patient C.” My hair keeps falling out, I get such bad pre work and post work anxiety. On my days off all I think about is work. It’s taking a toll on my mental health and my relationship with my boyfriend. I am mad and stressed all the time. I’m just so tired and I honestly feel like I’m getting depressed. I want to stick it out a couple more months so I can get a job somewhere that’s not in a hospital. I just feel so stuck and scared all the time. If anyone else is a nurse with OCD what did you do to help with your anxiety and OCD?
- Date posted
- 24w
If anyone has beaten or gotten a lot better with contamination ocd how long did it take and how did you do it? I don’t see myself getting over this theme for a long time but I’m worried for my future like getting a job , I’m scared I won’t be able to cope with bacteria in a workplace and stuff like that. Just feeling lost in recently :(
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