Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.

3,027 Members
7,394 Posts
0 Online
Anxiety Disorders
/ Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group

urgent support needed - sick right outside my flat

jennielouises
jennielouises
Ok my biggest contamination fear is sick and someone has done it right outside my flat. I am not afraid of getting sick from it, just that is disgusts me so much that I feel dirty all over. I am having issues now opening windows in my flat even though I am on the 2nd floor as I don't want to breathe in the "germs" (i have put speech marks as I don't mean actual bacteria) and struggling to walk past it to get to my car. Not really sure what to do. It rained last night and I was sure it would get rid of it but its still there :-(
deleted_user
deleted_user
hi jennielou,
I can understand,yukk, how you feel.......that isnt my biggest contamination fear but would still be a worry to me...what about phoning enviremental health services...council...or service providers,if any for your flats...and ask them to get it removed an cleaned...apart from that you could find your most peaceful part of your flat and feel glad it wasnt any nearer to you and your flat....hope its all clean soon..what lovely words..clean and fresh...all the best..tia
jennielouises
jennielouises
Hi tia, thanks for the reply. I have called enviro health who pased my message onto waste control and they have said they will come and clean it up as soon as possible. Fingers crossed that it is today!
deleted_user
deleted_user
While I am glad that someone might be around today to clean up the mess, there is mess everywhere and without a dedicated cleaning crew 100 paces in front of you, you are likely to encounter more mess. The issue is not who cleans up this mess but how you deal with encountering mess across the full 24 hours of every day. Obviously, you KNOW that you are not going to get sick from any particular everyday mess but you FEAR that you will and that is your OCD talking to you -- irrational and intrusive thoughts that you know are wrong but yet you cannot ignore.

Actually, you can learn to ignore them. The tool is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and, coupled with Exposure Response Prevention, you can learn to have the thought, recognize it as your OCD speaking, and MANAGE YOUR RESPONSE in a way that does not paralyze you or impact your day. You need to learn all about this and there is no better place than www.ocdchicago.org where everything is FREE and DOWNLOADABLE. Once smarter about what is afflicting you, you can find a therapist that does CBT and ERP. Drugs may be an aid to your therapy but drugs cannot do the job by themselves. CBT & ERP work and work quickly -- learn more and good luck
jennielouises
jennielouises
Ive had cbt before and has taught me to handle most ocds but myself and the therapist couldn't get me passed the contamination fear from sick
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Jennie,
While I don't agree that you can ignore the feelings that OCD brings up,I completely agree that cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure response therapy are a big help.
I also take meds and they are very helpful with the anxiety that comes along with the syptoms of OCD.
Good luck to you!
bethmach
bethmach
CBT is definately the way to go. Contamination or germs are everywhere and it is irrational to think we can ever be free from them. Best wishes to you.