Understanding and Overcoming Contamination OCD

This is embarrassing, but how do I overcome contamination OCD? My version of the disorder involves constantly using the toilet to wipe away any germs or feeling of discomfort after using the toilet. It's a new and challenging compulsion for me. Thank you for seeking help and support. Let’s discuss the effective strategies to overcome this fear.

Seek Professional Help

If you are not in therapy, it’s crucial to start. Therapy and medication can provide significant relief from symptoms of OCD. Your family doctor or a mental health professional can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment plan based on your needs.

Therapeutic Strategies

Therapy can involve several techniques, but exposure and response prevention (ERP) is one of the most common and effective methods for treating OCD. This involves gradually exposing yourself to situations that trigger your fears, without responding with compulsive actions.

Putting a Bidet Attachment on Your Toilet

A simple solution may be to invest in a bidet attachment. This can significantly reduce the need for excessive wiping and reduce the risk of irritation and infections. Water from a bidet can clean more thoroughly and help reduce the feeling of needing to constantly wipe.

A Personal Perspective on OCD

Mine is not about the toilet, but food. I have to touch and look at food in a certain way to feel okay about eating it. Even after taking these precautions, I still worry about getting sick. My therapist suggested using exposure therapy, and over time, I’ve learned to let go of these fears. Now I can eat without feeling terrified, and I’m not skin and bones anymore.

Physical and Mental Health Implications

Your physical health depends on not constantly wiping. Excessive wiping can irritate sensitive skin, leading to infections. Infections can cause redness, bleeding, blistering, pus, and pain. Continuous wiping can expose you to more germs due to constant contact with waste matter.

Instead of wiping, simply use toilet paper or a damp tissue once after using the toilet. Washing your hands thoroughly can also help reduce the feeling of needing to constantly clean. Remember, if you do experience any irritation, it can lead to more infections and a vicious cycle of increased germs.

The Impact of Compulsive Behaviors

Contamination OCD can severely impact your daily life. It can lead to serious complications, including physical injuries and psychological distress. If you are suffering from this, it’s important to seek help. I, too, have experienced the struggles of OCD and understand how debilitating it can be. I’ve taken steps to manage it with therapy and medication, and while it hasn’t completely gone away, it has significantly improved my quality of life.

Developing a Coping Mechanism

One effective strategy is to change the way you respond to intrusive thoughts. Instead of forcing yourself to suppress them, try to address them rationally. For example, if you feel the urge to wipe repeatedly after using the toilet, you can logically talk yourself through it. Instead of just telling yourself 'don’t wipe', think through the reasons why you shouldn’t. Remind yourself that just because you feel like there are germs doesn’t mean there actually are. Feelings of dirtiness are just that – feelings, not facts. Protecting your sensitive skin from damage is crucial. Your body depends on you, and you are in charge, not your feelings.

One suggested thought process could be: I feel like there are germs down there. OK. I want to go wipe, but I know I shouldn’t. I already wiped once after using the toilet, and that’s enough. Feeling like there are germs doesn’t mean there actually are. It’s just a feeling. I don’t want to irritate the skin and get an infection. That would be much worse. Since I don’t want an infection down there, I’m going to not wipe again. Even though I really want to, I need to protect that sensitive skin from damage. My body is depending on me. I’m in charge, not my feelings. I’m going to go watch my favorite show and play a game on my phone instead.

These steps can help you manage your compulsions and reduce the frequency of unwanted behaviors.