Contamination

[Klu12]

I recently found out that my ocd is called contamination ocd. Does anyone else have this kind?

[kinikia95 ADAA Volunteer]

I don't but I've heard it's quite common. I'm sure you'll receive a lot of replies. I was just reading a book (fiction) about someone with this. Are you receiving therapy?

[Klu12 in reply to kinikia95]

I'm currently looking for a new therapist because my health insurance changed. What is the book called?

[kinikia95 ADAA Volunteer in reply to Klu12]

Oh geez, I'm embarrassed now because it was just a piece of a book involving one of the characters as a therapist who helps with this and other anxieties. It's not about that, cannot recommend. It only came to mind because I read this chapter today and he was doing extreme exposure therapy (made the woman touch trash). Definitely not the theme of the book ("People we hate at the wedding") and I don't have contamination OCD but I would never rifle through a trash can without gloves. I can't imagine this is what they do. Just reminded me of because I read it today. Sorry.

I have recently been hitting the hand sanitizer several times a day though. My 3-yo granddaughter spent one week with me and came up with "handsitizer" so I may want to be on the lookout myself now that I think of it.

[Klu12]

It's ok, no worries! That's an actual technique therapists use called exposure and response therapy. I'm scared of it!