Contamination and or Responsibility OCD

[LuvSun]

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has similar fears.

[Aleese]

Hi, I have dealt with similar as my contamination OCD was my germs-DNA etc, leaving behind. I wasn’t afraid to touch due to other people’s germs it was fear of myself. Ex: it got so bad at one point, if I touched something by accident I would have my husband retouch for me cause the anxiety was so great! I could go on and on but, this was one OCD fear I had to deal with. Thank God I did get help...ERP exercises and am freer than ever in my life. There is Hope😊

[Aleese in reply to Aleese]

I just read your post again- Hyper Responsibilty was another one of mine too! Maybe we are from the same mold😁 Another big one is confession OCD.. Fear what if I’m lying, what if I’m a fraud? Like, oh no, I said this or that and maybe I should have said it like this or that! Going back to someone to correct is a self esteem breaker and it is OCD guilt that is unmerited! It’s silly little things that sound over the top but, the pressure builds up so strong (the compulsion to fix), you end up giving in because you want to feel better from the anxiety. But giving in only makes it worse in the long run cause maybe the confessing wasnt confessed correctly so then back to the compulsion to fix. Wow!

Anyway, sorry if I went over board here, wasnt planned. But, this is good....I feel better to have written this down. If anyone ever needs someone to talk with, I’m here cause I know the torment of OCD and also know the freedom.

Please don’t give up, there’s therapists out there that specialize in OCD etc.....

Have a Blessed day- And extra thoughts to the “LuvSun” on the post above👍🏼

[LuvSun in reply to Aleese]

Hi Aleese! Wow thank you so much for sharing your very similar feelings. It really made me feel like you said- we have a connection. I too am not so much afraid of other people’s germs- My obsession is spreading germs to others. If I touch something I feel is contaminated the fear that unless I wash my hands I will be spreading it everywhere! It’s worse in my own house sometimes. When I am in public I don’t have as much anxiety since I feel like I can’t control what everyone else does. In my home I feel a stronger sense of responsibility. Things in my house feel contaminated and I am afraid of spreading to the outside world. When I leave my house I make sure to wash my hands and not touch anything I feel is “contaminated” so it’s always an effort. I have a very supportive husband fortunately. Anyway- I would be curious to know how you got over all this with ERP as I have been scared to try it. I have been seeing a therapist but just once a week isn’t helping much.

[Aleese in reply to LuvSun]

Wow-Thank you so much for writing and to realize there’s more people like me out there😁 Mine was most everywhere.....

I can say that therapy and continual therapy and ERP and low dose meds. really helped in my freedom as well as continuing on in my learning taking online courses (keeps the mind occupied) : ) Sometimes you just may need to do more than one session a week. Is your Therapist OCD specialist? Don’t be scared to try ERP......The recovery is to not give in to the OCD-moments of anxieties. It gets easier as you keep “walking away from it”, knowing it doesn’t serve you at all, but OCD takes away our freedom to live life. I’m not 100 percent there...but I understand now. I feel it less and less but when it can be triggered in me...I Just keep on walking. One of the courses I took was, Mindfullness-Soooo good! The Best Always to you-

Keep in touch😊

[LuvSun in reply to Aleese]

Thank you ! I’m so glad that you are doing so well. Overall I am very fortunate in that I still live a good life -not much to complain about ( except this darn OCD ) but I just have to really buckle down and tackle it like so many if you all have already done. My Therapist does specialize in OCD but I am considering more of an intensive outpatient therapy where we meet a couple times a week. I’ve been living around this for so long that if I want to get better I have to do the work. Thanks for your responses.

[Aleese in reply to LuvSun]

I am so glad we met😊It’s encouraging..to both of us. You will come through‼️

Two days a week sound great to get a big hold on it.

I appreciate our conversing back and forth!

Thank you and keep in touch-

[LuvSun in reply to Aleese]

I definitely will

[Aleese in reply to LuvSun]

😊

[Aleese in reply to LuvSun]

Hi LuvSun-

I can never figure out where I’m supposed to write to a person, so I just add on to where ever I can find to reply...even if it is a few months ago thread. 😊

I’ve been wanting to check on you and see how you’ve been doing? Have you been able to work more consistently with your therapist? I remember you were concerned you needed more sessions to really work harder on your ERP’s. Anyway, just thinking of you and hope you are doing good.

Aleese-

[LuvSun in reply to Aleese]

Hi Aleese! Sorry I did not respond until now to your post. I’ve been traveling the past 3 days. Thank you for your interest in following up on how I am doing. I haven’t had any therapy for a few months now since I have been away from home but feel like I have made some big improvements with my OCD. I’ve been reading a lot of literature on OCD and feel I am slowly starting to get a real grasp on it. I may try some more intensive outpatient therapy but I have been traveling so much that I can’t really commit to any program. With the help of my husband I am learning to change some behaviors. Were you able to do ERP on your own or did you have to get help from a therapist? Seems like you have a good grasp on everything. 😊

[Madchoc16]

Hi LuvSun, I suffer from severe contamination OCD too, for 30 years plus, had therapy from a Healthy minds, but still not too good, I really feel like I need more ERP THERAPY. ITs hard to get in Stoke on Trent Staffordshire. Unless you go private which can be expensive. I keep going but need support. I wish you well. X

[Blue455]

Hi LuvSun,Thank you SO much for reaching out!!! Unfortunately I have more then OCD so my therapist wants me to take a 6 month group on DBT. I don’t know if your familiar with that? I guess you read I have been suffering with OCD since I was 16 and am now 58. I lived overseas from my early 20’s until the last 12 years. I’m 58. They only had psychiatrist not therapist so basically threw meds at me. Now I have Major anxiety my OCD is taking a shower and mostly washing my hands and several other things. I feel if I don’t wash my hands after MANY things such as taking out the trash, dishes before and after. Then there’s laundry and just so many things I can’t list them all. I use baby wipes to wipe my hands also, which in my mind I know they don’t really clean your hands, but it decreases the Anxiety. I’m supposed to be reading an OCD book called Mindfulness Workbook for OCD. The thing is my Therapist doesn’t list that she works with OCD, although she says she has. She does specialize in Anxiety. All sounds pretty bad right?? I feel pretty helpless with the OCD part. Please stay in touch, any advice or just being there would Really help.

[LuvSun in reply to Blue455]

I’m not sure what DBT is?

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to LuvSun]

DBT is Dialectical BehaviorTherapy. psychologytoday.com/us/ther... can be useful for grounding and learning to manage difficult emotions.

[BlueBear111 in reply to Blue455]

Hi Blue455, I have contamination OCD too for so many years. Have you tried ERP? It is gold standard to treat OCD. You may can check out NOCD, all of their therapists are specialized in treating OCD. I am starting treatment with them, there are many reviews that some people had recovered their OCD with them.

[Blue455]

Yes that is exactly what DBT is!!! Thanks Alexandra!!

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate in reply to Blue455]

You're welcome!