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Yep this is what I’m trying to do! Tell my self that I need to keep it 20 seconds even when I know that it’s a rational hand wash. Thank you for you help!

Yep I agree. Thank you

Yes they are making me stuck, good way of putting it. I’m trying hard to challenge my obsessions and rationalise not washing my hands as much but it’s hard since I always end up telling myself that it could be on whatever I’ve touched. Also thank you for the book recommendation!

I know it makes me feel like she’s calling me crazy!

Hi all, I was looking fo some advice on how to deal with obsessive thoughts and compulsion around contamination and covid. I haven't every been diagnosed with OCD but the past year (last 5 months specifically) I have really noticed how out of control I feel towards my behaviours and the virus and how my 'symptoms' are sounding like OCD. I also now recognise that I may have had OCD for a while without realising, just in different ways I feel that everything I touch has the virus on it and then I feel the urge to wash my hand thoroughly for way longer than the recommended 20 secs. It is getting to the point where my hands are red and flakey, I haven't been in a shop or anywhere other than a dog walk in around a month and I would feel much more comfortable staying in my room all the time. I even feel unsafe in my house- since my mum and brother are still going out to schools everyday- I feel that surfaces are contaminated. I even have my own space on the sofa that no-one else goes on as I make sure I don't wear my outside clothes on it! I wash my hands after touching door handles, coats, food packaging and when I get a parcel I don't try anything on until at least a day after it arrives- plus I shower straight after trying anything on. It's getting exhausting, I feel emotionally drained and my only relief is after ive washed my hands and im in one of my 'safe zones'. My family are starting to get annoyed with me as they think I am giving into a 'weakness' and so relationships are becoming strained and with lockdown I have no escape from tension. They are normally very supportive but they think I am too much and neurotic- which I hate being called. All I really want is a hug but I am too scared of contaminating myself as they don't wash their hands as much as me. I am not even scared of getting the virus, it just seems to be about the germs and particles being on me and touching them. I am going to call the doctors and hopefully get some help as I can't go on like this. Though I'm sure any services to help will be a long wait- so any advice? Thank you!