Coping with OCD during the COVID-19 outbreak

A lot of people are sharing information about COVID-19, some of which is factual and some of which is not as clearly linked to evidence. It is strongly recommended that you only listen to expert sources to the best of your ability. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a trusted source for people all around the world. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a trusted source for national information, and for local information people are advised to listen to their state/city/county department of health or public health (click here for a partial listing of these departments).

As of March 2020, the leading trusted health organizations (including the WHO and the CDC) are recommending that all people follow these guidelines in the name of public health:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being outside or in public places, before eating, and after you’ve coughed/sneezed/blown your nose. If soap and water are not available to you, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover all coughs and sneezes, either with a tissue that is immediately thrown away or by directing your cough/sneeze into your elbow.
• Disinfect surfaces that are regularly touched by a lot of people, such as doorknobs, counters, tables, etc.
• Practice “social distancing,” which means staying away from gatherings of large groups of people (such as large lecture classes, sporting events, concerts, etc.).

If you are feeling unwell, especially if your symptoms include fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay home and contact your medical provider immediately. It is strongly recommended you call ahead to your medical provider’s office before actually visiting — depending on your symptoms, they may ask you to come in for further testing, or they may advise you on how to take care of yourself at home.