Contamination OCD

[Bean13]

I’ve struggled with anxiety/OCD for as long as I can remember. As of now, my main fear is lead and lead poisoning. Not so much for myself, but my infant son. I’m terrified of him possibly having elevated lead levels and having some sort of developmental disorder. It’s not just lead, it’s also flame retardants in his car seat, but mostly lead because it’s literally everywhere!! Anyone else been in the same boat, or have advice?

[OCDAdvocateKatie IOCDF Advocate]

It sounds to me like your OCD is really latching onto the safety of your son. I totally get it...my OCD likes to tell me that I am putting the people I care most about in danger. OCD is really really really mean to use these things against us, but I think sometimes it does that to get our attention. Even if it feels really really really irresponsible, it is just the same old OCD dressed up (even when it tries to attach to our loved ones).

[alexandraisobsessed IOCDF Advocate]

Hey there, I can definitely empathize. My OCD loves to tell me I'm putting my son in danger somehow. It can be really difficult because it feels so real and it's scary to think something may happen to my son. However, like Katie said, It's just the same OCD latching itself onto the things I value the most. Although it can feel irresponsible, the best thing I can do in these situations is lean into my values and disengage from the obsessive thoughts.

[gettingbetterihope]

Everyone's OCD tends to be a bit unique, but in terms of advice, it would the same to anyone with OCD. Practice relabeling thoughts, mindful awareness. I just found a book that's already proving helpful called "Brain Lock" by Jeffery Schwartz, so I'm sharing that with others now, because I think it can really help. Easy read that breaks down recovery into only four steps. I'm still reading about step one, but as I said, really helpful stuff. Hope you're doing okay. Remember, it's just thoughts, and those thoughts are not who you are or what's actually happening.

[Bothisgood]

Hi Bean!! I can totally relate. I have had ocd for years but it's gotten out of control since my daughter arrived in 2017. A couple months later I had an asbestos exposure at work which I then brought home to my infant daughter and the guilt has been overwhelming. I'm still dealing with it 5 years later. With lead you can at least get periodic blood tests to check the levels. And seriously with the chemically treated fabrics it's ridiculous, I get it! But have you talked to your pediatrician about it? Talk to your doctor. Explain your fears, which all parents have regardless of ocd status. The exposure may be a lot less than you fear. Talking to a professional always helps me.