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
Compulsions
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.
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.