Hygiene ocd. Recently I’ve been plagued with constantly washing my hands and fear of contamination. My biggest dilemma right now is I used the washroom this morning and the soap dispenser was near empty. I was able to get a little bit enough to make suds and washed my hands. However after waking up and touching the milk container / making breakfast. I feel as if the germs from my hands may have gotten to the container. So I spilled it out and now I can’t stop thinking what it the germs are all inside my fridge now. Annnd it’s supper time and I’m suppose to somehow cook dinner for my kid ?? Ocd please go away....

Hi, Katee ? I know you feel panicked right now, but take some time to take a deep breathe and find your ground. You say that you can’t stop thinking about all of the germs correct? Do you think you can try and give yourself this little opportunity to not do your daily compulsions and just let those “germ” feelings sit there? I know it might feel dangerous, but eventually, the anxiety will subside and you will feel better in the long run. Take care of yourself, wish you and your kid love ❤️

Beautiful advice! ?

I have similar issues re: germs and washing...that panicky feeling is so awful, but keep trying to fight those compulsions! It’s like working out a muscle - you’ll get stronger over time. I agree 100% w uglyjd’s advice above. And to be honest, your experience is inspiring me to try some erp re: cleanliness tomorrow...if you can sit with this anxiety, I should be brave enough to do so too! I’ll try anyway :)

Congrats on making it through the day katee!! It sounds like you did some difficult work today - I’m genuinely impressed. Ok, definitely gonna push myself to rise to challenges tomorrow. And yes, I think it’s great to share our journeys! Other (non-ocd) ppl don’t really realize the effort that goes into fighting these compulsions & obsessions...sometimes I feel like I’m running a marathon! One step in front of the other....

You got this marathon !! You might fail like me every other day or every day. We’re only human.

Good job avoiding the compulsion re: your shoe, Lark!! I would have similar anxiety in that situation. Good luck at your work today, and yes, let’s continue fighting! I’m setting a small goal for myself today regarding food & hygiene - it’ll definitely make me stressed out, but I’m steeling myself to follow through. Even if it’s two steps forward, one step back - that’s still one step in the right direction

Lark we are sooo similar haha id be wanting ALL of the Lysol wipes.

Great job!! I cried last time I got blood drawn - it’s really hard! But it sounds like you handled it like a champ - and I bet next time will be even better. You’re strengthening that anti-ocd muscle!

Aww :( sorry u cried that sucks !

I’ll be tougher next time :) it’s a journey! (Plus it helps that the nurse was really nice about it)

I realize that even without a trigger ocd will find a way. It’s up to us to fight and quiet it

Uglyjd I like to explore this given my unfortunate exposure today. Still reallyyy tough to do as I got very close to blood which is my major trigger. I can’t stop thinking over and over did I step on it for hours now it’s almost easier for me to just wipe my shoe but I’m really trying

Too bad we couldn’t make group chats and add each other. That would be a great feedback to give this app. So that way we can keep in touch and share our similarities in this journey. So I made it through the day. I even had two wash my hands in two public bathrooms with very dry cracked skin. Also emptying my own bathroom garbages into my larger kitchen garbage. To say today was easy I’d be lying to myself.

L_ark , i too have been in your situation. I actually am even afraid of my own blood sometimes! Lol fun times

I didn’t rise axolotl. I washed my hands numerous times and ordered takeout lol. I was defeated it my own ways.

Guys we are in this together. I’m avoiding wiping my shoe with Lysol wipes but it’s really making me uncomfortable....same with the floor that it has stepped on. Tomorrow is another day at my job and who knows what “pleasant” stuff I’ll see again. My hands are very dry.

Let’s set another goal for Wednesday to continue fighting ocd

Update. Went for bloodwork today didn’t pass out. From the sight of the needle box that is lol. Hands were so dry they were bleeding and I didn’t run out of the room like I wanted to. The lady was very nice and accommodating. However her lab coat touched my hand and I didn’t faint lol. I will survive I keep singing to myself hahs

Great job everyone! Sounds like you did well with the bloodwork katee. I was lucky today to not see anything gross or triggering but even here ocd finds a way to latch on any possible contaminant around me and setting doubts as usual.

Same here l_ark. If there’s a will there’s a way lol