I have contamination OCD especially related to covid. I’m afraid to touch things other people have touched for fear of being contaminated. This evening we had people over to our house, my wife’s brother and his girlfriend and his son. It’s the first time we’ve had guests or anyone in our home other than workers in over a year. Her brother and his girlfriend have been vaccinated. His son tested negative 2 days ago (we insisted that he get tested before allowing him in the house for the evening). We spent the entire evening (5.5 to 6 hours) with no masks on. I was fine all night in terms of being anxious - I touched things the guests touched and was breathing the same air and I was not anxious because I felt it was safe - they were vaccinated or tested negative. Then at the end of the night, 5.5 hours after he arrived, I found out that the son works part of the day in a big indoor space with tens of other workers and no one wears masks. Now I’m very anxious. Also, they left a short time ago and my son hugged them as they were leaving and then hugged me - this was bad for me OCD-wise - I felt contaminated and washed my hands and face which had touched my son and his shirt after he hugged our guests and he and his shirt were touched by their faces. Finding out at the end of the night that the son has been working around others without a mask totally ruined the night for me and now I’m very anxious. I had a nice evening/night and then it had to be ruined and I had to find out something that made me scared and anxious and feeling contaminated. I want to know why I had to find that out instead of just enjoying the night.

SamIAm

Date posted: 4y

Well, I dont know how well I’m handling it - not really very well. First, I’m now nervous that the guy who has not been wearing a mask could have spread the virus to my family and me. And now I have to be worried for the next 14 days waiting to see if any of us get sick. But also I’m angry and depressed that this happened, that yet again I have a new OCD contamination thing to worry about. Contamination OCD - any form of OCD - is a constant battle. And I hate it. And it makes me live with almost constant anxiety and then I’m depressed over being anxious over things “normal” people just deal with.

Tiedfighter

Date posted: 4y

But! You haven't mentioned acting out against others, or acting destructive because of the lack of control. So I'd like to be supportive and acknowledge that: that is difficult, and you seem to be doing relatively well, given the very uncomfortable circumstance.

GermanCowboy

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4y

I completely understand your dilemma. Something that helps me in these situations is the serenity prayer “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference” (feel free to leave or take the “God” part out). You mention you are worried about the son working in a large indoor space with tens of other workers. I have a similar situation with my parents being elementary school teachers. While they wear masks, they can’t control whether students go to school or not, possibly with COVID-19. I learned to let go of my anxiety over whether a student could give them COVID-19 because I have zero control over that. However that doesn’t stop me from taking precautions and reminding them to do the same.

Tiedfighter

Date posted: 4y

I totally relate, and that must feel really awful. It sounds like you're handling it very well though!

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