Scousegirl

Thanks snowbear, you've given me some good advice. I'll will try one of the self help books.

Just wondered if anyone has any advice, as I mentioned in my original post my brother's girlfriend is staying with us 3 nights per week. I am starting to feel anxious, as when she comes I feel really uncomfortable, I can't concentrate on anything and can't relax when she's here. I'm trying to stick to my routine but I just feel so paranoid, like she's watching what I'm doing. It starting to affect me physically because I feel so tired, I've got butterflies in my stomach and feel sickly. Even when she's not here, I'm thinking about her staying, it's just circulating around my mind all day, I feel like I've got no control over my thoughts because I can't seem to stop. I've asked my brother if she can stay over less but he doesn't want to upset her, because he thinks she'll take it the wrong way, which annoys me even more because it feels like he doesn't mind upsetting me. Is this OCD or just anxiety? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, it is, only just started it.

No, it's an online course

Feeling so guilty right now, my brother's girlfriend had an accident in work and had to go to hospital. As a result, she has to rest so won't be staying over until one day next week. I can't help thinking it was somehow my fault because I've been talking about her on here. I am also relieved that she won't be staying but at the same time I feel guilty for feeling this way.

I suppose I am worried about germs entering my body and potentially killing me. It was the same worries in 2009, but I seem to have got worse over the years.

I was first diagnosed with OCD in 2009, when I found I was washing my hands more and more because I felt dirty. I worry particularly about getting ill if I dont wash my hands properly after using the toilet, touching raw meat and touching bins.

Thanks Caramoole, I am currently in the process of CBT online, hopefully this will help.

My bedroom is right next to the bathroom, I can hear the flusher and then she comes straight out. I assume she doesn't wash her hands or she flushes the toilet after, which I don't see the point in.

Thanks for the advice snowbear, I have told my dad about my concerns that I have over her not washing her hands, I'm nervous about telling my brother because I don't want to cause an argument. I think you might be right that it's a clash of personalities because I'm so tidy and organised and she's the opposite. I'm finding it hard to deal with though because I just get so wound up and my thoughts start to spiral out of control.

Hi Snowbear, thanks for replying. Yes, my dad and brother are aware of my contamination fears, but his girlfriend doesn't know I have OCD as I am embarrassed about telling her. I feel like if I say no to her using my hairdryer she's going to ask why and I dont really know what to say. I just feel uncomfortable when she stays, and I dont know whether this is down to to OCD, I feel like I can tolerate it for one night a week but its started to feel relentless. I am on medication for OCD and am currently doing on online CBT course so maybe this will help

I live with my dad and brother and since the covid restrictions have been lifted, my brother is letting his girlfriend stay with us for 3 nights a week. It's starting to drive me mad, she treats the house like her own. I've just got so many worries about contamination, she leaves her stuff everywhere and doesn't wash her hands after using the toilet, so I feel like she's spreading germs all over the house. She's asking to borrow my hairdryer and I feel like I can't say no. I feel so alone because nobody else feels this way. I just want to know if this is normal, its causing so many arguments. I don't know what to do, I feel like I'm at my wits end.