Hey guys, I've been staying with my parents since March (I'm in my mid 20s) because the virus derailed and paused my grad school plans. I used to struggle with severe contamination ocd, which had eased significantly for a while with medication and therapy, but it has come back full force because of COVID. I think COVID has helped me justify my ocd to myself and left me unable to tell what is considered taking normal precautions and what is excessive and unhealthy. My biggest fear is getting my parents sick. I have not seen anyone besides my parents and doctors (for separate medical reasons) in person since March, and this has deeply impacted my mental health. I want to meet with friends outdoors with masks, but I fear it will cause unbearable anxiety and I won't want to come home, or I'll sit in my room for two weeks wearing a mask and avoiding my parents. I don't know how to stop this feeling, and I see no end in sight until I'm able to move out of my parents' house. Anyone have any solidarity or advice?

Contamination OCD

cassie8

Date posted: 4y

Hi! I am in a similar situation as I have contamination OCD, live with my parents too and I’m very scared of giving them COVID. I totally agree with your comment about it being so confusing as to what is OCD and what is normal precautions in these times. It is so hard to distinguish. As for hanging out with your friends, If you are wearing masks and it is outside, you are taking the precautions that the CDC suggests. Also, I think it really helps to have social interaction but also to expose you and you can sit with that uncertainty. I feel like the more I stay in my house and don’t try to leave, the worse my anxiety gets about catching covid. By going out occasionally (obviously being safe) I become less afraid of COVID. Just wanted to let you know that I’m in the same boat :)!

sabisvit

Date posted: 4y

Thank you for your response! I really appreciate it and it's nice to be able to relate to someone else's situation. I really need to work on sitting with my uncertainty. I don't want to put my parents at risk, but you're right that all you can do is get out of your comfort zone and follow the guidelines. I'm glad to hear that going out and about has helped ease some of your fears about COVID, I'm gonna strive to do the same and meet up with some friends and do little activities that I'm not 100% comfortable with. I definitely don't want to make this a habit or fear that outlasts the pandemic. Again, it really does help to hear from someone in the same boat! I hope you continue to make progress become less and less afriad of COVID :)

cassie8

Date posted: 4y

@sabisvit Thank you! You too, we will get through it!!

Rebecca_H

Date posted: 4y

Hi Sabisvit - I really feel for you! I too struggle with contamination OCD and it really came to a head during Covid. I was afraid to go anywhere near my parents as they are both high risk. Honestly, the best thing I did for myself was ERP therapy through NOCD. It truly gave me my life back. I would also highly encourage making connections a priority even if it means zoom calls or sitting 6ft apart outside with masks. Anything for you to know that you are not alone!

sabisvit

Date posted: 4y

Thank you for your response! I don't know too much about ERP, but I will take a look into it. I am already in therapy, is this something that you must get a special type of therapist to begin or something I could mention to my current one? Most of my friends live far away so Zoom has made an incredible difference. I have been thinking of setting up a meet up with them soon, I think I need to just go ahead and plan it and accept that I may have some discomfort with it. Thank you again!

Rebecca_H

Date posted: 4y

@sabisvit ERP is a type of Cognitive behavior therapy and the most effective form of treatment to reduce OCD symptoms. I would definitely ask your therapist if they have experience in ERP. If they do not I would highly suggest finding an OCD specialist. It honestly made all the difference in the world for me

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