contamination recovery update

[ollieander]

Contamination ocd recovery update: I’ve been becoming more and more terrified of picking up infestive bugs, specifically bedbugs, from any public place. The latest trigger was seeing a post about bugs being in books and getting transported that way, and as someone with a bookshelf with a lot of old used books in their room, I got scared. All I see are stories on how terrible bedbug infestations are and how hard it is to get rid of them. All I see is how they can be anywhere. All I see are horrible stories that do nothing but fuel my fears. It’s becoming harder to even go to school or work.

I don’t know if it would be reassurance seeking to ask if bedbugs really are so common. Sometimes I feel like maybe I’m making it all up but then I see things that indicate otherwise. I’ve been able to do some pretty big things: going to a friend’s college to visit them, planning to attend concerts, etc, but I still struggle with going to the store. I just want comfort that bedbugs are everywhere and that I can get them anytime. Are they really so common? I don’t know what to think anymore.

[deValentin]

There are two ways to seek reassurance. Some people seek absolute proof that their fears are unfounded, and no matter how much ressurance they receive, there are never satisfied. They always want more. This approach serves only to reinforce their fears in the long term because they're relying on something unrealistic to assuage their fears: the elimination of all doubts.

On the other hand, some people seek reasonable evidence that their fears are baseless. For instance, if I climb a mountain cliff, I double check my equipment to make sure my connections are secure. My life depends on it. So, first, you need to ask yourself whether you'll be satisfied with credible information. You see, when I'm reasonably sure my connections are secure, not all my fears have disappeared. I also need solid nerves, decisive action, and with a good experience, my trust is reinforced. What you need is credible information + decisive action + solid nerves + good experiences.

Here is my experience with bedbugs. In my whole life, and I travelled extensively (Europe, Africa, North America), I only once encountered bedbugs. It was in Ottawa (Canada) when I attended a conference and stayed in a dormitory after the university year was over. Some students keep food in their bedrooms during the year, and don't clean them very much. So, bedbugs feed on that nightime, and hide in crevasses inside the walls daytime.

If you live in a reasonably clean environment, you could let your mind rest at peace. You just need to check second-hand items you bring into your bedroom. If you see signs of an infestation, call in a pest exterminator. You need to deal with visible evidence, not imagined possibilities.

[Bestlifeiscoming]

Hi,

I too had/have a great fear of bed bugs or any invasive pest. However, if it is any reassurance to you, I worked directly with them. I was forced to clean houses infested with them and I never brought them home. I would shower immediately and put all of my clothes in the washer and dryer at the highest temp. I take extensive measures if I travel and I do not bring anything in until I thoroughly examine where I will be staying. In addition, I usually unpackage things outside at my home. However, after taking a behavior modification course, I learned that habitualization plays a huge role and exposure can help. I learned that after exposing yourself ten times, the fear decreases. I’m not there yet to do this with bedbugs and not really sure how I would other than bringing packages into my house or stopping the thorough examinations when traveling - but I have done this with spiders by consistently working in my garden where they are and every time I was safe after, it got a little bit easier. I hope this is helpful to you!

[Sallyskins]

That's one that I haven't heard - bedbugs in books! I too have lots of old books and most of the books I buy are used. But I haven't come across bugs in any of them!

There are occasional outbreaks of bedbugs - one recently here in England. But I didn't encounter any. Although they used to be quite common, they're relatively rare now. And they can be sorted out and got under control.

It's great that you've been able to make progress and do things that you want to do. I know how difficult it is, but once you get to do things that you enjoy you're on the road to recovery. There are likely to be setbacks, because OCD is like that - but that doesn't mean you're not making progress.

It sounds as though you've really built up the bug thing into something bigger than it actually is. It's like finding you have a pimple on your face - and can't stop touching it or examining it until it feels as though you have a huge boil covering most of your face. But really, it's still just a little pimple.

Try to think if it would be so bad if you got bedbugs in your bed, or one that you were sleeping in. Of course it wouldn't be nice - the chances are you'd feel dirty and itchy. But they wouldn't kill your or harm you. Just jump into the shower. Bedding can go in the washing machine - that should sort them out for you - and if necessary get some pest controllers in.

But this is all about 'if' - the reality wouldn't be as bad as you've built it up to be in your head. And the reality is that although bedbugs do crop up now and again, they're still quite rare and they're not dangerous.

As for bedbugs in books - that's a new one on me, like I said! I've be around old books for years and have not found a bedbug in any of them!