Contamination ocd

[Blue_Red]

Any therapist that you highly recommend in Twin cities, Minnesota? I am having a hard time with having my thoughts controlling me and running my life. For example I fear grease and oil from a car shop. Men who work on cars and have black stained hands make my skin crawl. And when I hear that someone is a mechanic it triggers my ocd. So for example today I get my haircut and my hair looks great, though as I was talking to my hair dresser she mentions that her husband is a mechanic, and of course it immediately triggers my ocd. I left salon feeling loving my haircut and feeling beautiful, though felt like I had to go home to shower because possibly I had been contaminated. I sat with the anxiety, though it upset my day and I had to shower before going to bed in my clean sheets because I didn't want to accidentally or possibly contaminate my bedding. This ocd is running my life. I am in the process of seeking a good therapist. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. Thank you

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate]

Hey! The IOCDF has a directory of providers. You can search by location. I know you’re looking for actual recomendaciones, but it’s at least a place to start.

[fromzerotopanic]

Just know you're not alone! If I'm having a flare up, I often worry that something I've worn has been contanimated, then if I happen to say, touch a towel while I'm wearing what I 'think' is contaminated, I have to wash that towel (or sometimes I throw it away). I know looking back that the towel didn't even come close to touching what I was wearing, but I can't rationalize it at the time! And then if I don't throw it away or put in the washing machine, I'd just spend too much time ruminating and playing the scenario over and over in my mind! Before I know it, there are tons of things I think I might have contaminated and it's like a juggling act!

[Blue_Red in reply to fromzerotopanic]

I get like that also. I fear that I am spreading contamination. Even when I am cleaning the house I fear that I am spreading contamination. It's exhausting. I am looking into finding a therapist who specializes in ERT and ACT. Have you had this type of therapy?

[fromzerotopanic]

Ive had some CBT therapy, but not specifically the type you mentioned, so not much help there. Have you checked on the iocdf.org/find-help/ site? This is where I found my counselor. They say many counselors have had some training in OCD, but we really need ones who have specialized training in it specifically, and this site helps narrow it down. The nice thing is, due to covid, many are doing virtual appts so you don't necessarily need to be in the same location (just be sure insurance covers it if needed).