Contamination OCD
What is Contamination OCD?
Contamination-themed OCD, is a colloquial term used to describe obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that is characterized by an intolerance of uncertainty in regards to germs, dirt, blood, disease, and other forms of contamination. People with contamination OCD have intrusive thoughts or obsessions about being contaminated or coming into contact with germs, and they engage in compulsive behaviors or rituals to reduce their distress and sense of uncertainty around these topics. The time and energy spent on these rituals may significantly impact the quality of a person’s life.
Symptoms of Contamination OCD
Contamination OCD can manifest in a variety of ways, but some common symptoms include:
Fear of touching or being touched by objects or people that are perceived to be contaminated with germs, bacteria, or viruses.
Obsessive thoughts about contamination that can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, and/or compulsive behaviors.
Avoidance of public places or situations that may increase the risk of exposure to germs or contamination.
Excessive cleaning or disinfecting of objects, surfaces, or self, including personal hygiene routines such as showering or hand-washing.
Repeatedly checking and double-checking items or surfaces for signs of contamination.
Constantly seeking reassurance from others or online that they are not contaminated or sick.
Folks with contamination themed OCD may limit their activities. It is a form of OCD that often results in isolation, as folks avoid the outside world more and more. Other effects can be raw and cracked hands from excessive handwashing, and excessive bills due to water usage for showering and cleaning supplies.
Treatment for Contamination OCD
Fortunately, like all other forms of OCD, Contamination OCD can be effectively treated. hrough learning how to tolerate uncertainty and identify and commit to one’s best rational guess, one can reduce the impact of their intrusive thoughts and free themselves from their OCD. At our practice, we provide gold standard OCD treatment to help you get the results you are looking for. For more information on how treatment for OCD works, click here. If you are interested in receiving treatment for Existential OCD, contact us here.