some would probably call me a Germ Freak...do i need help

[afterbegin]

So how common is my problem, anyone else out there like me?

 

I'm 26 and I have a problem with germs...Sometimes, I think

it's no big deal, sometimes i think it causes me too much stress

and unhealthy anxiety and i wonder what i should do.

 

First of all, i'd never share a drink with ANYONE other than my

girlfriend. It freaks me out when she kisses the cat on the nose.

I'm constantly washing my hands. I can't eat with my hands or

even pick up a piece of food, gum, donut, cookie, etc, without

washing my hands first. Whenever we go to a retaurant, i always

excuse myself to wash my hands before eating, yet, when were

eating i think about the germs on the salt shaker or the ketchup

bottle etc etc...I even have a weird thing about touching a freshly

open straw, i'm super careful to not touch the clean straw at all

if i do, and my hands haven't been washed, i can't touch the straw.

 

It's really obsessive and it bugs me alot. Sometimes it's no big

deal and i'll eat something with my hands, and think nothing of it..

but then sometimes, i'm soooooo bad and I just can't do it.

 

I know there's no germs that'll kill me, but my brain can't make myself

understand. On my bad days, i'm afraid of ctaching something, yet

i don't know what i'm afraid of catching.

 

I watch The Aviator, the story about Howard Hughes and I think, "Oh

my god, am i like that?" "is that what i;m headed for?"...

 

Anyone know of anything that can get me out of this stupid

constant behavior? It's on my mind a lot...i can never just relax......

 

:(

[Outcast]

You'll need CBT and maybe some meds to fix this.

[Craig]

Yes and what outcast said.

[newbby]

obsessive compulsive disorder

[Outcast]

It might be OCD. It might be a lesser version or anxiety. Only a doc can say for sure but that would be a condition to suspect.

[newbby]

sorry outcast.

it sounds alot like ocd to me, but i am not a doctor. however i suffer from ocd and it does sound similar.

[Outcast]

I agree it definitely sounds similar but some disorders surprisingly mimic others so you need a doc to make the final analysis and rule out mimics.

[933KJL]

You'll need CBT and maybe some meds to fix this.

 

Since when are you allowed to prescribe?

[Outcast]

Just talking about the standard treatment for this particular situation.

[white_angelbreath]

Yeah, its OCB alright. I had a doctor diagnosed me once. Actually, I went to him for an allergy consultation and while I was telling him what happened I told him I was very extrememly concerned of having my room cleaned, everything cleaned, everything perfect. He told me I had OCB because I kept on obsessively thinking of it Xtimes everyday.

[curiousnycgirl]

Not sure if this will help at all - but figured I'd throw it in anyway.

 

Reality is that those germs, etc that we are exposed to everyday boost our immunity. Living a totally sterile life makes us more susceptible to stuff because our immune system is just not able to handle anything.

 

This is why we americans have such stomach trouble when we travel abroad - our bodies cannot tolerate the less sterile environments in other countries.

 

Like I said - doubt it will help - but it's true!

[Outcast]

Unfortunately, if this person has OCD, not all the logic in the world will help. It's not about how you think or what knowledge you possess.