Napalm

No worries, I respect your point of view. Anyway, it seems the Admin is going to strip out the problematic parts of this thread so I see no point in continuing to contribute.

But police campaigns don't explicitly say: "Lock your doors and windows, or you'll be raped or murdered". There isn't that explict connection between risk of personal harm and lack of action as there is with handwashing campaigns. Even with lumps, yes there is the stuff about cancer, but the message isn't as clear cut as: "Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea. "Hands are easily contaminated with faecal bacteria [poo] when going to the toilet and this can be easily spread on to other things you touch, including food," says Professor Jeremy Hawker, a consultant epidemiologist at Public Health England." The above is from the NHS website. It is unambigious and it comes from an authoritive source. It makes it clear that washing your hands removes something: the contaminant. Advice, for example, about checking for lumps is not as explicit. You don't get lump-checking advice that directly says: "Check for lumps to remove cancer". There's also that sense of disgust I was talking about. A person without OCD is unlikely to feel a sense of disgust if they come across an unlocked car door or house window, but they would likely feel disgusted if someone with poo on their hands made a sandwich for them. So the feelings of revulsion and discomfort often conjured up by contamination-based OCD aren't entirely unjustified in that regard. That's why I think contamination-based OCD is different to other OCDs. Just my thoughts anyway. It's fine if you and others disagree.

You don't have the NHS website and various other public health campaigns telling people to make sure they turn off all switches and lights before they leave house to reduce the risk of getting ill. There aren't campaigns explicitly making the connection between other forms of OCD actions and illness. That's why I think contamination-based OCD is different. Yes, you're right most people are not particularly conscious of hygiene in Britain, but that is not a good thing in my view. I mean would you really want your food prepared by someone who has just wiped their bottom and opted not to wash their hands properly? The chances are you would survive eating a meal they prepared for you with their unwashed hands, but how comfortable would you be knowing that they had not washed their hands? Even a non-OCD sufferer would be disgusted upon knowing that the meal they've just had has been prepared by someone who didn't wash their hands after wiping their bottom. I think it's too simplistic to just look at the contamination-based OCD on the basis of whether someone will be physically fine. There's also a sense of disgust the sufferer feels, which in many cases is understandable as my above example demonstrates.

That public transport is dirty and a source for catching something unpleasant is a fact though. The OCD isn't entirely lying to the sufferer in this context. That's what makes contamination-based OCD different to other forms of OCD. It has a valid point: dirty "contaminated" hands increase your risk of catching something that will make you unwell. Again as I said earlier there is a logic to it all that makes sense. I also do not think resorting to extreme actions such as putting your hand in toilet water and then eating a bag of crisps without washing your hands is helpful or necessary. Many people without OCD would find doing such a thing utterly repulsive. It could even be viewed as a form of psychological abuse.

But it's true. Public transport isn't very clean. So the logic of not feeling comfortable on public transport because of a fear of catching something unpleasant makes sense. Of course, you're unlikely to die from standing next to someone repeatedly sneezing on the bus so I would agree that is an extreme form of thinking. But we are encouraged to wash our hands regularly especially before preparing food or eating a meal to reduce the probability of getting ill and it is sound advice. Ever since I started washing my hands regularly before preparing or handling food, I've noticed I rarely become ill. There is a logic to it -- if there wasn't the NHS wouldn't be advising people to wash their hands often to reduce the chances of becoming ill. You are discouraging regular handwashing and by doing so you are encouraging the spread of illnesses. That to me is not only unhelpful, it's also irresponsible.

AF Moderator Note: Posts split from thread - Am struggling on public transport The thing is public transport is filthy, so I suppose that makes it difficult for someone with OCD to be entirely comfortable. When I see people touching the handle bars on public transport and then using their fingers to eat food (which is a common sight in inner-city London), I can't help but feel a sense of disgust.

You're welcome. Have a good night.

Well that's good to hear. How do you feel now? Still scared?

Okay, music -- that's good. How long has it been since your mum last contacted you?

Your home is secure. I'm sure the windows and doors are locked. Therefore, it's unlikely that something bad is going to happen. Have you tried turning your TV or radio on? It will help you to feel less alone.

Why do you think you are afraid of being alone at home at night? What do you think will happen?