Contamination Obsessions
Contamination obsessions are the most frequent encountered obsessions among individual affected by OCD. Such obsessions are characterized by any fear of a contaminated item. Individuals with OCD have an exaggerated fear of encountering germs that can cause harm to themselves or individual around them. Commonly, contamination fears may involve toxins or environmental hazards or bodily waste or secretions. The fears of contamination can change over time. An individual may “overcome” their obsessions with touching a “contaminated” bathroom and then develop a new obsession about touching a garbage can. Patients with OCD are different than individuals who have specific phobias; they are worried about spreading the germs to other people and causing them harm.
Charlie's Story
Charlie is a man who is married with two kids. When Charlie’s children were young, he obsessively feared of contaminating them with harmful toxins. He took great care in the way that he washed the bottles of the young children and on occasion would throw them out if he thought they touched something toxic. In addition, whenever Charlie went to the store he made sure that none of the formula cans were dented or tampered with. Charlie grew great anxiety whenever he had to wash to formula cans before serving it to his children. He would need to use antibacterial soap and make sure that the water was “perfectly” hot to kill off any germs.
Pathological Doubt
Robin is a 45 year-old executive director at a Public Relations firm. Robin is married with children and performs the average duties that a working woman does. .
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