I have contamination-phobia OCD. It is exhausting.

[PlanetaryOrbit]

I'm a pretty stereotypical contamination-phobic OCD person. I can't stand having things like bleach, gasoline, detergent, grease, car motor oil, glue or germs on my clothes or skin. I'm constantly washing my hands to the point where they even crack and bleed. I rinse my clothes again and again.

I throw things away if I think they're too contaminated to be worth keeping anymore. I constantly worry that I tracked chemicals or contaminants on to this or that household surfaces. I have a hard time touching sink handles and faucets with my hands.

It's exhausting and even keeps me cleaning and washing until 2 AM, making me sleepy all day.

I can't afford professional psychiatric help - I'm short enough on money as is.


Does anyone have advice?

[No Vested Interest]

1. Latex or rubber gloves?

Wouldn't solve everything, but may help some.
What else have you tried?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. It sure does sound exhausting.

I would search for a clinic where you pay based on your ability to pay.

I used one like that many decades ago, and it worked very well.

I'm not sure how you would go about finding such a clinic, though. Perhaps calling medical schools in your area to see if they have such a thing.

These are places where folks who are becoming licensed family therapists do their training, usually the last year when they see clients, before they get their licenses.

My therapist really turned my life around.

Good luck!

[No Vested Interest]

3. I believe "aversion therapy" is used with OCD

The idea is to gradually expose you to that to which you are averse.
It should be done with professional help.
Don't the new rules of the ACA provide for equal parity of psychiatric and physical problems?
I'm sure the continual washing is exhausting.
Hoping you can find some relief soon.

[hunter]

4. OCD sucks.

My wife and I both have marketable sorts of OCD and many, many, hours of unmarketable sorts.

As a young person I damaged my knees and hips running very long distances in the early A.M..

I'd probably still be running if it didn't hurt so bad.

Ibuprofen and coffee, breakfast of champions! Full speed ahead, damn the tinnitus!

[Betsy Ross]

5. Any research on OCD and medical marijuana?

Seems like a great match.

[fizzgig]

6. how are you doing?

i would start with your county health department. i don't know where you are, but ours has sliding scale clinics and prescription assistance.