What is ERP like for Contamination OCD

Ben Eckstein, LCSW, discusses the use of exposure and response prevention (ERP) when treating contamination obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He explains hierarchies, which are the ratings of triggers that cause the least amount of anxiety to the most amount anxiety.
Presented in partnership with Anxiety and Depression Association of American (ADAA) and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). For more resources, please visit ADAA.org and IOCDF.org.

[@tfergii88]

I am using this video throughout the week to remind my self to not compulsively sanitize a sink for 5 minutes before using it. Hopefully, anyone else out there in the future will see that the gradual 'dip your toe in the water' analogy is a great working process.

[@Arkadi-rj8vc]

Nobody is talking about when you get rid of one type of ocd another one kicks in. I completely switched fron organization to contamination ocd. You get rid of one another one will kick in. Ocd is a deeper problem than just reacting to an obsession. It is a mechanism that gets rid of anxiety by artificially creating problems and solving it. When you get rid of that your brain starts looking for other things to be able to relive the anxiety somehow. Since childhood fear of asteroid hitting us, earthquake fear, switched to organization now contamination, plus perfectionism ( will do it later to do it perfect)

[@CaptZenPetabyte]

Wonderful therapeutic metaphor! Thank you for sharing

[@hilenijoseph8496]

Feel like I'll go mad at some point in my life 😭😭, what's worse is my family doesn't understand and they keep on doing things that they know I can't tolerate, like sneaking in my room and contaminating everything 🥲. I use gloves and plastics to touch or clean "contaminated" objects, the clothes I go with outside don't make it in my room until they're clean again because I hop in the shower the moment I'm back from school. I really need help 😫.

[@cloverdale7539]

:( my heart goes out to you! I completely get it. I myself struggle with contamination OCD and it's been years. Exposure therapy does help but it's definitely not easy but it does get easier the more you work it! I've put myself into exposure situations bit by bit, I have found that's helped a lot overtime. I definitely recommend seeing a professional (I'm currently looking for one myself as I'm ready to tackle this as much as much as possible) Best wishes to you 🤍

[@Nightlife_Offical]

Bro I’m struggling with the same thing, at least a fourty minute shower every day after coming home from school until I can just relax.

[@surajair5083]

@@cloverdale7539 I am also struggling with the same thing and I have gotten tired of this to the point I can't tolerate it anymore. I barely go outside unless it's absolutely necessary, don't touch anything or anyone, no hugs, no handshakes. Even if someone or something touches me, I take a shower immediately and wash my clothes. I sanitize everything from my phone to laptop. I don't want anyone to come to my house and when they do I wash everything they touch like bed sheets, curtains and rugs. I know everyone is dirty and have come to realize that it's normal and people just don't care about it but can't resist the temptation to clean and wash myself and my belongings that come into contact with others. I rarely travel and use public transport as I feel the need to clean everything afterwards. This has seriously affected my social life and career as I avoid people as much as I can, including my own parents, and spend hours daily cleaning and washing things. I even wash fruits and vegetables among other grocery items with soap before I put them to use. The worst thing is I have to wash my feet the moment they touch the floor accidentally. I have tried to find a solution on the internet for so long but none so far. I am just tired of this as it doesn't get any easier.

[@basavaraj7484]

@@surajair5083 I can completely understand your situation bro ❤ it’s same here. The only way is to face them. And stay a day or two without cleaning. Rn I’m into one mess but I’ve decided not to clean. It’s very difficult but it will help. Plus try to do many other things. Just be busy. Plus send me your Instagram so we can talk :)

[@ameliak7970]

@@surajair5083 hi have similar issue. Have you found treatment?

[@ggstylz]

In my ERP therapy 30 years ago, I started desensitisation exercises with the worst thoughts first. There were no shortcuts. I still have general anxiety here and there but my OCD is almost non existent.

[@little.pixiedoll]

What did you start with? I feel like my OCD is through the freaking roof right now. 💔

[@glowx6882]

@@little.pixiedollhow is it now? 💕

[@little.pixiedoll]

@@glowx6882 It's better in some ways! Sometimes it's worse than other days but at least I can eat at restaurants again now. :) do you also have OCD?

[@Arifumiko]

It's so freaking unreal how I was able to overcome contamination ocd all by myself. I never expected that I'd get through it. It was complete hell. I wash my hands like 10 times+ a day. I never ever wanna go back to a time like that.

[@DramaqQueen641]

How did you do it?! I can’t go to the toilet without showering and changing clothes after and it’s ruining my life - I’m on a waiting list for therapy, but I want to try this by myself but I’m so scared

[@mkccv]

10+ a day? I wash my hands so much I occasionally get fissures

[@Arifumiko]

@@mkccv THAT TOO. There are days where I used to wash my hands so much that it got super bruised. I pray healing for you, it's hard to live with ocd.

[@Arifumiko]

@@DramaqQueen641 I just said "F this. I can't live like this anymore." I mentally pushed myself to expose myself to my fears even though it was EXTREMELY uncomfortable for me. I did things that I used to do before I got ocd and now it's gone. Basically it was consistent exposure therapy that I had to do by myself. My parents didn't give me therapy for it cause I am a minor and they didn't take me seriously but Thank God, mine worked. (It really is hard, but not impossible)

[@ptf2941]

i have bad contamination ocd compulsions i cant handle anything,i need to sanitise my hands every time,its so exausting,its just an existance,but think i will really struggle with erp.

[@vaishnavisengar2757]

How are you now?

[@ptf2941]

@@vaishnavisengar2757 am very much th same,thnk i also av emotional exustion too,cant function am withdrawn n detached n cant face anythng wiv lack of energy n motivation,ope i am makin sense n am readabl

[@glowx6882]

@@ptf2941aw omg i know u will get to feel better ❤️‍🩹 i have contamination ocd too but not the same. maybe u can try erp but really gradually. just remember: try to keep discipline. 💕🫶 also, read what i wrote as a reply on someone else’s comment bc it applies to u. u are strong deep down, u are and ur capable. ‼️‼️‼️

[@aboutthisproduct7674]

Help OCD!