Contamination fears

[Kaysi]

I suffer from HIV contamination and it is so debilitating. A friend gave me a body lotion that I used .After using it my mind was filled with contamination fears of HIV.It was so bad that when ever I see my friend I check if he is sick and losing weight if so then probably dying of HIV.I recently took my life medical exam and based on that my HIV is good.Just after that episode, something crazy has happen trying to switch me again .I used a glass cleaner at work after which I quite remember I washed my hands.My key ring poked me little after my gym work out.Now the what if want to coming like what if you forgot and the glass cleaner is contaminated with HIV.Sometimes I feel I am going crazy.Thanks

[MothFir]

I'm currently working on getting over contamination issues of my own. I don't worry about HIV, I worry about rabies. Go figure -- OCD picks the most exotic things for us to obsess over.

If you can talk to a therapist who understands OCD and cognitive behavior therapy, you should. You're not going crazy and the HIV obsession is fairly common among OCD types, and it's straightforward to treat. Medication can also help take the edge off, often without side effects. A combination of both has helped me.