Contamination OCD - new incident. Need help!

[gamgum]

Hi, I just used my college's bathroom stall to poop. I was using my right hand to pull out toilet paper and hold my t shirt up, and left hand to wipe. Only too late into my wiping ritual did I realize that there were some dried brown stains (presumably of poop) near the toilet paper dispenser that I had certainly touched with my right hand.

I finished wiping, and then (for lack of a better option) used my right hand to hold my t shirts and pull up my shorts. I washed my hands vigorously after that.

The problem is, I feel like throwing away my shorts and t shirt now because I feel like they have been contaminated by poop. I know that this is the "cleanest" option. My question is: should I throw them away or should I launder them? I'm confused whether throwing them away would simply be good hygiene or whether it would be an overreaction/compulsion.

My main fear is not infecting myself, but infecting a group of really sick (and perhaps immunocompromised) children I will be performing music for a couple of weeks from now.

Am I being obsessive-compulsive or just careful? Please help me out! I don't want to regret throwing my clothes away and thinking I gave into OCD again. But nor do I want to be irresponsible and cause harm.

[Guest lizinlondon]

Hi You don't need to throw them away. Just put in washing machine and wash them as you usually would.

If you wanted to use this experience as an exposure you would wear the clothes again for afew days, until they no longer make you feel anxious.

I know it is hard to do, but by resisting the OCD you will be healthier in the long term.

Good luck!

[Caramoole]

Am I being obsessive-compulsive or just careful?

This is OCD not sensible caution

Your clothes don't need laundering for any reason associated with this situation, they need putting in the wash in accordance with when you'd normally wash them

[PolarBear]

Agree wtih Caramoole. You don't need to do anything concerning this situation. You don't need to specially wash your clothes and you certainly don't need to throw them out.

People with contamination obsessions have an overblown sense of what is dangerous. One clue as to when a situation is being caused by an OCD obsession is the sheer amount of distress you feel after a situation, combined with doubt as to whether it is dangerous or not.

People in general have a pretty good sense of what is dangerous. We all (OCD or not) will get be on high alert if we see a child reaching his hand toward a hot burner on a stove. That's automatic. Our anxiety level rises immediately and there is no doubt whether the situation is dangerous or not. With contamination obsessions, there always seems to be doubt associated with the danger level, even though the distress level can go through the roof. Generally, if the situation was really dangerous, you would know it was dangerous.

[gamgum]

I see. Thanks a lot PolarBear, Caramoole and lizinlondon! I happened to see a doctor yesterday and I did what told me to do – to simply wash the clothes to avoid any risk of infection and not throw them. I am SO proud of myself for not throwing them away. I think I can begin to tell the difference between carefulness and OCD now. I had another instance today:

So I was urinating in a public toilet bowl when my urine stream hit a brownish-yellow stain/skid mark of someone else's feces (graphic imagery, but hey, my college appears to be the place where hygiene goes to die). The problem is, some of my urine splattered after hitting the stain and got on my shorts and (I bet I'm imagining this second bit) my t shirt. After I was done, I had to quickly run out because I had class. Now I am going to wash my clothes properly, so I think they won't be a problem, but I am wondering if all the things I touched (my books, notepads, computers, mobile phone, bag) etcetera are also contaminated. I cannot think of a way to decontaminate all of them and get rid of any germs that would have gotten from my splashed-on clothes to my belongings either through my hands or through direct contact with my clothes. Is this a valid cause of concern or yet again, OCD?

Again, I'm not afraid of catching a disease myself. But I'm afraid that I may spread the disease to immunocompromised people through my belongings. For instance, I am playing a show at a place for really sick children in some days. Many of them may be immunocompromised. As always, I really don't want to harm them by being a vector of germs from that feces stain! Is this a valid concern for this particular situation? Or does this sound like another variation on the OCD theme?

Thank you very much once again for your help.

[Caramoole]

Or does this sound like another variation on the OCD theme?

Asking yourself honestly, what do you think?

I think you actually know the answer......it's the anxious feelings that are making you question yourself.

So, what next?

Do you proceed by seeking clarification on each situation as it occurs? Or do you make a reasonable assumption (despite the doubt) and move forward?

One choice leads to freedom....the other guarantees incarceration.

Both choices incur anxiety at first.

There are very, very few situations in life (contamination-wise) that present real risk. Peeing on a poo residue and being splashed is close to zero. The risk to your mental well-being, sanity by doing preventative behaviours is high, close to 99%

Even if you stuck your hands in poo, got it up your fingernails and ate a sandwich (sorry for being graphic ) the real risk to yourself or others is very, very low. The fear factor for an OCD sufferer is high.....but it's still not real or valid

Caramoole

[gamgum]

Hey caramoole, even though I don't agree with you with the risk being low with the sandwich bit, your post inspires me. Thank you so much. And thank you polar bear and lizinlondon.

I hope you guys know how much hope and determination you give me

[Guest areo65]

Hey caramoole, even though I don't agree with you with the risk being low with the sandwich bit, your post inspires me. Thank you so much. And thank you polar bear and lizinlondon.

I hope you guys know how much hope and determination you give me

Solidarity is the most important thing. We've all been there, stay strong!