Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

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@Former-Member wrote:

Hey there @NatureLover, that's amazing news! I'm so happy for you.

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Aww, thank you, @Former-Member ! ❤️

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@Former-Member wrote:

I also wanted to share with you that I've been through something really similar re. contamination fear and OCD. For me it manifested quite significantly during a time of stress, and it sounds like you've been going through a period of stress too so it makes sense this would be flaring up for you right now?

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Yes, you're right. I'm sorry you've been through this too 😣

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@Former-Member wrote:

What is one thing you might be able to do to support yourself around this? I remember having "safe" clothes, which felt helpful at the time but was not at all because the things that were "safe" just become smaller and smaller.

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I have 'safe clothes' too - well, what I mean is I get changed into outdoor clothes when going out in the car, and my indoor clothes are my 'safe clothes'. I've always done this, my mum does it too. Is that what you mean?

To support myself I had to disengage yesterday afternoon...the stress was too much and was making me feel sick. I wasn't coping yesterday. I double-washed my clothes but couldn't face leaving the house or spraying Glen-20 on my shoes or in my car. So I read my book. Am still not really coping, not sure if I can make my volunteer job today.

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@Former-Member wrote:

What helped me, and this was truly a process, was learning to be okay with the uncertainty. Is that something you've found too?

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I'm actually not sure what you mean by 'uncertainty'? Do you mean 'germ contamination'? If so, then no, I'm not OK with it and I panic.

@hanami @Bow @Eve7 @Emelia8

Hey @NatureLover wishing you a good day today 🌸

🎀

Morning @NatureLover, how are you feeling as the end of a big week for you comes to a close?

I have 'safe clothes' too - well, what I mean is I get changed into outdoor clothes when going out in the car, and my indoor clothes are my 'safe clothes'. I've always done this, my mum does it too. Is that what you mean?

Yes, that's what I mean by "safe" clothes. It may look a little different for each of us, but when my OCD was at it's worst I'd get changed out of my "unsafe" (usually things worn outdoors) and change into my indoors clothes. It became so prohibitive as the anxiety increased that I struggled to wash the "unsafe" clothes and I ended up buy new clothes A LOT.

It's something I rarely experience now, but there are hallmarks of the OCD style of thinking when I'm under intense stress, hence why I asked if you could relate given what you've been going through.

When this happens I make sure not to slip back into avoidance mode and I make myself wear the things I would otherwise deem too unsafe to wear – it happened just yesterday in fact, and today I'm wearing an item of clothing that feels a little anxiety provoking to wear, but if I don't I know I'm at risk of giving into the OCD. It's a bit of an ongoing battle this illness, but one that is well worth keeping on top of so you can live your life on your terms, not governed by fear based thinking.

I'm actually not sure what you mean by 'uncertainty'? Do you mean 'germ contamination'? If so, then no, I'm not OK with it and I panic.

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Yes, the uncertainty of sitting with things like fear of germ contamination (or any other manifestation of OCD style thinking). A therapist once said to me that I need to learn to live with uncertainty because it's part of being human living in the world. In my head at the time I thought that is so easy for you to say, you don't deal with the daily sky high level of anxiety that accompanies this diagnosis. But he was right, once I accepted I didn't need to control the anxiety, that I simply needed to let it be and go about my life pursuing my goals (with the anxiety onboard), the anxiety and fear based thoughts diminished considerably. As you know @NatureLover, it wasn't quite as simple as that, and I understand everybody's situation is different, but there is hope. That's why I wanted to share a part of my story with you.

My hope for you today is that you've been able to recenter yourself after what has been a huge week 💛

Morning @Former-Member @NatureLover , @Bow @hanami , @Eve7

There is a lot with OCD

My Mr shaz was diagnosed years ago , with what I see and he says he is a lot better now than he was

He says I have OCD

Morning @Shaz51,

There are so many of us with OCD, thank you for sharing yours and MrShaz's experience. It helps to get things like this out in the open and to share stories of hope and recovery, I think.

Was there anything specific MrShaz was able to put in place that helped him feel better able to deal with the symptoms?

Hi @Former-Member

It was a lot worse when the children were younger

But now the children are all adults and once he made the house secure to his liking and having a daily routines which he follows to a tee it has helped him

But when unexpected circumstances happens and changes messes up his routine , his day is gone

Hi @Shaz51,

Thanks for sharing, it's the unexpected again...has a way of messing with those of us with OCD! I find it helps to build a sense of strength and coping skills within myself, that way if the unexpected occurs I can rely on my resilience to cope (still a work in progress 🙃)

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@Bow wrote:

Hey @NatureLover wishing you a good day today 🌸

🎀

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Back atcha @Bow ...thanks for popping in 💜

Dear @Former-Member , thanks for sharing your story, and for your kind enquiries into my end of the week state ❤️

I was still not coping on Thursday so couldn't go to my volunteer job, couldn't even put out my bins 😞

Luckily on Friday I woke up feeling stronger, so disinfected my shoes, car keys and car, then went in to my volunteer job to make up the paperwork I'd missed the day before.

Today I have to catch up on housework that got missed on my stressful week last week.

I could totally relate to not being able to face washing your 'unsafe' clothes! How was it yesterday when you wore an item of clothing that made you a little anxious? Does it ease as the day goes on, or increase?

It sounds like you've done a lot of work on yourself and have come through the other side, with the OCD thoughts and compulsions.

I am nowhere near where you are at. I'm still living "governed by fear based thinking."

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@Former-Member wrote:

But he was right, once I accepted I didn't need to control the anxiety, that I simply needed to let it be and go about my life pursuing my goals (with the anxiety onboard), the anxiety and fear based thoughts diminished considerably.

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I like the sound of this, but actually doing it is a whole other matter! I tried Exposure Response Prevention therapy once, and it was a complete failure - I panicked at the contamination of germs I was introducing into my house. Since then I have chosen to work on other matters, like my childhood abuse and the Hoarding Disorder. Luckily or unluckily, I have a plethora of conditions to work on! 😄

You might in your words "have a plethora of conditions to work on" @NatureLover but in my mind you are A W E s O m E and an inspiration to lil ol me x