is this a harm/contamination obsession?

[Purplewhale12]

I recently learned I have OCD. There’s this thing that’s been happening that I’m starting to wonder if it’s a compulsion. Basically when I’m depressed or anxious I feel bad being around people because I feel like I’m going to make them depressed and uncomfortable so then I isolate to feel better. It sounds like it could be a compulsion to me except instead of giving someone a germ I’m worried about giving them depression. It also sounds like it could be some sort of social compulsion like making sure I don’t upset someone. I do end up feeling like I have to apologize to people after I talk to them when depressed. Has anyone else experienced this?

[avoidingthebadthings]

Yes, this is a common feeling when one is depressed. I'm sorry you are experiencing it. When we're depressed, we often think that we have to protect others from our depression, as if it is contagious, or as if we are a burden on other people. I haven't heard of it specifically in the context of OCD. It's simply a classic hallmark of depression.

You definitely don't have to apologize to anyone. Be kind to yourself. It really sucks to be that depressed, and hopefully you are in therapy and maybe on medication, so you'll begin to pull out of that painful state.

[Danwocd]

That sounds like OCD