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Contamination OCD

Contamination OCD is one of the most well-known types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. This type of OCD can lead a person to experience exaggerated fears of contamination or illnesses and develop rigid or time-consuming decontamination rituals. The contamination worry is often based on an irrational fear of contracting a disease or infecting others, or a general sense of dread that something bad will happen. A person with Contamination OCD often feels a sense of responsibility to protect others, which can cause stress for the loved ones of the OCD sufferer. The obsessions and compulsions a person experiences with Contamination OCD vary widely and may include:

Obsessions
  • Obsessive fears or disgust with bodily waste or secretions​​
  • Excessive fears about covid-19, cancer, HIV, the common cold, or other illnesses
  • ​Extreme fear of being coughed or sneezed on
  • Concerns about sticky residues, grease, or dirt on body or clothing
  • A fear of ingesting contaminated foods
  • ​Fears of spreading illness to others or contaminated shared items or personal belongings

​Compulsions 
  • Avoiding public spaces or "contaminated" objects or areas at home
  • Avoiding physical contact with other people
  • Excessive washing washing hands, hand sanitizing, disinfecting, showering, or clothes changing
  • Ritualized or time consuming eating, cleaning, or bathing routines
  • Excessively researching illnesses and methods of contagion
  • Mentally reviewing or tracking possible sources of cross-contamination
  • Reassurance seeking from loved ones

Treatment for Contamination OCD
People suffering from Contamination OCD are advised to seek treatment from a mental health provider that specializes in the treatment of OCD.  OCD specialists are trained to treat a wide array of OCD subtypes, including Contamination OCD. Like all types of OCD, Contamination OCD can be effectively treated with Exposure and Response Prevention.

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​Indy Counseling Professionals
​​5660 Caito Dr. Suite 126 
​Indianapolis, IN 46226
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  • Home
  • Expertise
    • What We Treat >
      • OCD >
        • Checking OCD
        • Contamination OCD
        • Harm OCD
        • Hit and Run OCD
        • Other Common OCD Subtypes
      • PTSD
      • ANXIETY
      • PHOBIAS
      • DEPRESSION
    • How We Treat
  • About
  • Session Info