- Username
- OCDWarrior17
- Date posted
- 43w ago
Hi
I have contamination OCD which I’ve had since 2016. Does anyone have any steps or plans to start to overcome it that I could try? I’m on medication and have had long term therapy.
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 43w ago
I think within the general framework of OCD treatment, contamination OCD can be treated by accepting uncertainty and I'll provide some examples "Maybe this item is dirty, maybe it isnt" "Maybe I will get sick from that item, maybe I won't" "Maybe I am dirty, or maybe I am clean enough" I think acceptance of uncertainty and imperfection, as well as limiting compulsions, can help treat this theme effectively I'm sure a session with NOCD can also help if they are not your current provider and if you haven't seen OCD specialists before (because sometimes talk therapy isn't enough or helpful, particularly for OCD)
- Username
- cyc1017 cyc1017
- Date posted
- 43w ago
My daughter has contamination OCD and is finally functioning very well. She went to a doctor who started her on Sertraline and did exposure therapy with her for a year or so. Learning to accept uncertainty (as you stated) is key. Also learning to live more in the gray rather than having everything be black or white. We are amazed and oh so grateful that our daughter has overcome her "living hell."
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@cyc1017 That's amazing to hear, glad it's working out well
- Username
- cyc1017 cyc1017
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@A23 Thank you. She has 2 precious sons and she fought through for them ❤️
- Username
- JennielouisesJennielouises
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@A23 Yes I agree with this, although I haven’t managed it myself. I’ve done exposure and had times I’ve been able to manage my ocd but it always comes back as I haven’t treated the route cause. I can’t accept uncertainly as I don’t think I’ll cope with feeling uncomfortable. I therefore feel I need to control everything
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@Jennielouises Maybe some sort of long term anxiety therapist would be beneficial?
- Username
- JennielouisesJennielouises
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@A23 If only I could afford that. Others have learned to accept uncertainty so it must be possible
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@Jennielouises Yeah some insurances also cover short term anxiety coaching, there's a program called AbleTo
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@Jennielouises Long term strategies that may help also include exercise, meditation and journaling
- Username
- JennielouisesJennielouises
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@A23 So I find for me, journaling makes me ruminate. But I do think I need to do the others. I also feel for me that doing daily mental exercise will help. I haven’t had a chance to focus on my mental health since Jan as my son has been so ill. So I’ve lost my fitness, just like you would if you stopped going to the gym
- Username
- A23A23
- Date posted
- 43w ago
@Jennielouises Oh, best wishes for your son to recover 💙
- Username
- TanyaShelby22TanyaShelby22
- Date posted
- 43w ago
hey, i really feel for you dealing with contamination ocd since 2016, it sounds incredibly tough. sticking with medication and therapy is a big step, and i admire your dedication to finding more ways to cope. 💪 have you heard about "unstuck"? it's an ai-powered therapy tool specifically for ocd (unstuckmyOCD.com). it's been a game-changer for me this past month, and i think it might offer you some new strategies. someone here recommended it to me, and i only wish i'd discovered it sooner!
Related posts
- Username
- healingheart
- Date posted
- 23w ago
need advice
for the past 12 days i’ve really been struggling with feeling contaminated, over washing my hands yet they never feel clean, washing them so hard that i start to sweat and my arms give out. i feel like parts of my body are contaminated from being outside. instead of showering and washing my face like a normal person im avoiding myself because im afraid. im afraid that my hands will get contaminated and i wont stop washing my hands. (i know it doesn’t make sense but im experiencing a lot of stress that’s causing my bladder muscles to tighten and i can’t hold in my pee, i need my hands to be clean to even lower my pants) if i get stuck in a handwashing cycle ill pee myself and i never feel brave enough to start. this week has been very hard for me, struggling to eat, sleep, and bathe. i feel i have to move very carefully just to navigate life in a way that won’t stress me out. the fear of touching these areas and my brain constantly convincing me i did had been very hard on me. i know the answer is obvious but i don’t know how to build up the confidence to do these things. i’ve been in a very stressed out and suicidal state for the past month i really dont want to trigger any negative feelings but this isn’t any better. what can i do to just… i guess not be afraid and go for it?
- Username
- lizzibabe
- Date posted
- 22w ago
Cooking and Contamination OCD
Hi everyone! Unfortunately, I am an individual who loves cooking but also suffers from contamination OCD. This really impacts the enjoyment I get from cooking and has recently been stopping me from cooking all together. Any tips or similar experience appreciated (:
- Username
- cmarie16
- Date posted
- 18w ago
Coping skills
Does anyone have any suggestions for coping skills for health concern ocd or contamination ocd? I’m trying really hard to not let my compulsions get the best of me but it’s so hard to not let the anxiety absolutely and completely spiral.
Be a part of the largest OCD Community
Share your thoughts so the Community can respond