I did for a while when I was younger. It seems to have abated with age and menopause. Mine was a worry thing- did I turn off the stove, lock the door, etc. Also as a small child I would have to do things to balance out my actions. If I spun around one way for a while I had to spin the other way or I'd not rest until I did. That I now understand to be my needing to be in control because I was being abused and felt out of control otherwise.. I think it's not extreme to worry about mold when you've had an illness from it. Maybe if you read about mold and how long you need to be in contact with the spores before it might be an issue it might help you feel better about it. Eventually you'll see you don't get sick each time and it will fade, or you at least may not feel the need to do it as often. Also if you carry an inhaler to use to relax your lungs during that time...if your doc will agree.
You might also start by purposely not looking around the floors and walls when you go places, if you can.
I know a therapist will have better answers for you... hope you feel better!

Hi Luna. Please know you are not alone. I can relate. I think a lot of us can. I've had anxiety since I was a child but when I started developing all the strange symptoms of CFS and FMS, all the sensitivities, I became very obsessive about it. The cause of all of my symptoms were unknown and awful. So, just like anyone else that gets sick would do, I tried to figure out what was causing it but because both these illnesses are so complex, I often could not find the cause. That led me to form my own conclusions and therefore develop more fears. For example, I'm super sensitive to smells. So, I unconsciously started holding my breath. I had the initial fear of the smell that caused anxiety AND then the anxiety caused from holding my breath. I would get chest tightness from both, which made me think I was having a reaction and the cycle would build upon itself. I still have the fear sometimes but found ways to cope with it. And I've also had mold issues in a former workplace and fears around it. So I get it!

First, please know that if you do have a form of ocd, it's much more common than people think. Also, it's basis is anxiety. People can develop behaviors or rituals that come from the need to try and "control" the anxiety. Like me holding my breath. It made me feel safer but in all actuality it was making things worse.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be very helpful. Another thing that can help is exposure therapy in which you are exposed to the thing you are having fear about under the supervision of a trained therapist. They help you identify the fear based thoughts and help you to learn knew ways to think about it . For me, I realized that even though a smell, chemical, fragrance might make me cough, have to use my inhaler or get dizziness or a headache, etc., having anxiety about it and holding my breath will make me far more sick.

So, until you can see a professional, I'd encourage you to look it up online. there are many resources there that can help you learn about anxiety/ocd in general and offer suggestions on techniques you can try until you can see someone.

Hope that helps in some way! Hugs...

I think the key here, ( OH, Hi Luna!I!!) is that you are experiencing fear of something real. You are not being repetitive, or ridiculous. You have a very good reason to not want to be around mold. It's dangerous to your health!! OCD is so common. As has already been mentioned, it's basis is anxiety. I think most of us with CFS/ME have anxiety. Our immune system is on overdrive all the time and we are just gonna over-react to everything.

I think that what you are experiencing is normal fear. If you start doing things that are out of your nature, or behaving oddly so that it interferes with the rest of your life, then I would consider that the OCD really needs to be addressed.

Basically, I think I fear mold very much. I have my house checked for it every year. I have the ductwork sanitized to be sure I don't have spores coming in through the vents. I do not consider this OCD. I consider it being careful. I live in a big house, and when the basement gets wet, I get nervous. I'm vigilant! Not obsessive.

Fear of things that can do you no harm is an issue. Fear of things that you've been exposed to, that hurt you....is not OCD!!! I hope your therapist can give you some ways to help you stay calm about possible exposure to mold, so you don't fear it so much!!

Big hugs!!

I agree with many of the other replies. It's perfectly understandable that you'll feel overly cautious of something that caused you great harm in the past. That's a normal reaction, and our illness causes us so much anxiety because we ARE very fragile and vulnerable to the evironement. I don't think you've developed OCD, you've developed a natural fear of something that is dangerous for you. But of course, only a therapist can properly identify your situation.

I sometimes take a mild anti-anxiety medication when I know I'm going to be faced with unknowns, it does help. Hopefully you'll get to see a therapist soon, until then maybe you can research what is the most efficient way to cleanse after a mold exposure, that way you are assured that doing it once will be enough, and it can give you some peace of mind as well as saving you the exertion of over-showering.

Hugs to you.