Do I have OCD?

LegacyUser

I am really starting to worry about my mental health. I'm a young woman, pretty normal in every way (if there is such a thing!) I'm a postgrad in college, I have a part time job, a boyfriend and friends. I've realised that over the last couple of years, I've become a total germophobe. Not only am I afraid of germs, but I worry about catching an actual disease in situations where most people wouldn't even think about it. I use my sleeve to open toilet doors and flush (I used to think people who did this were idiots), I clean my bathroom and kitchen once a day with products, that's fine cos I can control that. But there's so much I can't control that drives me mad, for example, someone sneezing or coughing next to me makes me really uncomfortable and angry, they're exposing me to their germs without my consent. I know that sounds mad but that's how I feel. Also, I find myself checking public toilet seats/handles/door knobs in case there's any substance like blood or urine on them, as what I most fear is catching hepatitis or some other bloodborne illness. No matter how careful I am, there's always something, like yesterday I sat down on a toilet seat in college and there was a small bit of dried brown stuff where my legs would have touched, so now I'm convinced I got something from it, also someone accidentally sipped from my glass at the college bar and didn't tell me until later........it drives me mad that I cannot avoid these situations! As soon as I've stopped worrying about one thing, another thing happens! It's so frustrating that despite being so careful and doing everything I can, I am still exposed to unwanted germs/fluids. What can I do? It's driving me mad!!

renraw

Nah, you don't have OCD. I'm the same with door handles and such. You're just conscious of your own health. Thats a good thing. I always use my sleeve to open toilet doors because there are soo many people out there that don't wash after the toilet. I'm the same with toilet seats, its just a case of hygiene and fair play to ya. I wouldn't worry over it because it could possibly develop in to OCD. Most people I know are the same because of the times we live in. You'll be ok

thefeatheredcat

If you want your question answered properly as in a diagnosis then you should speak to your GP or a psychiatrist.

Do a little research into OCD yourself (factual information) that will detail symptoms which may or may not be related to what you are experiencing.

I wouldn't say what you have experienced is or isn't 'normal' behaviour, however if such acts were causing serious distress or preventing from getting on with things you should definitely seek a professional medical/psychiatric opinion.

silverharp

Would it help to read up on how the immune system works? it doesnt help when we are bombarded with silly ads about needing to kill 99.99% of all known germs..... ?