GreyhoundMum

Hello, I’m new here. I have had OCD for many years. It has come and gone somewhat but has always been there in the back of my mind somewhere. My OCD has had a variety of different ways of presenting, but for the last 5 years or so I have been getting more and more caught up with contamination OCD. I have two young children and my intrusive thoughts centre around them being harmed by something (e.g. lead paint, chemical, germs) that I should have protected them from. I have received some treatment in the past but I am not currently receiving any. It just hasn’t felt like the right time to start trying to challenge myself and fight the OCD, but this evening I had conversation with my husband that made me really think about what I am doing. There’s a lot more I could and would like to say, but I just wanted to introduce myself and possibly meet some other people who are working through contamination OCD. Thanks

Hi Sophie, I have just joined this forum today after many years of OCD symptoms. The focus of my OCD has varied over the years, and currently mainly centres around contamination, but many of your compulsions of checking doors etc, even videoing to “prove” things have been done are things that I have done in the past. Also like you, it started off as something almost funny or “quirky”- I remember having a laugh with a friend who came to stay at my flat about the fact I had a little notebook that I ticked off all of the things I had to check before I went out, then I posted it through the letter box once I had ticked off “locked door”. But as OCD does, it has spiralled since then (and changed its focus somewhat.) As I said before, I have also just decided today that something needs to change in my situation, so I don’t really have any wise words for you- just that you’re not alone and there are people here who understand you. We can get through this.