OCD and Emetophobia

[Morgan16]

I am new here and was surprised at the amount of people who clean and use the Lysol wipes - I thought I was the only one who cleaned remotes, door knobs, keyboards, and so on....I do it more in the winter months. I fear the kids will bring sickness into the house. I get bothered by grems such as cough and colds but MUCH worse about the stomach virus type of illness..It seems the start of "our" problems are germs....(I think that is a true statement) or for most it seems to be.. When I read the posts more people are afraid on the V if they feel they will catch it. I guess that makes me even more uneasy but even the "talk" about V is upsetting. What has worked for people? I am desperate for this to end. I don't what it to control my life. I haven't told my family and I am a 40 year old. - - One more thing about OCD and hand washing. I have to have my family to wash their hands when they come in the house, it they were outside, at school, work, etc. I hate anyone touching stuff in my home if they haven't washed their hands, JUST makes me nuts. Once they leave I get out my wipes and clean every counter, and the bathroom before I can relax and feel safe and clean in my home. Does anyone else feel my pain?

[cinque]

Yes, I completely feel your pain! I think a lot of us are along these lines although some emets on here don't worry about hygiene that much (and they've not reported being ill with a stomach virus at all so going to extremes with hygiene probably isn't necessary!).

I suppose the start of the problem is germs but then perhaps the problem starts with the v* which is then traced back to germs as a cause? I'm very afraid of v*ing whatever the cause but I suppose the stomach virus does scare me more than say, a hangover causing it.

Some members of the forum do find that they don't like to read the threads where people are panicking or describing symptoms which is totally understandable. Just try to use the forum in a way that helps you. I think one of the most beneficial treatments is cognitive behavioural therapy although I have not tried it myself.

This might be slightly controversial, but I don't think there's anything wrong with asking your famly to wash their hands when they get home. I wash my hands when I get in from the shops or wherever because I've probably touched money or been on public transport. Therefore I think it's a good idea and not obsessive. I know other people who do it that aren't emet. It's okay to set ground rules like that; most people I know were brought up to wash hands before dinner, say. No harm in that! But perhaps there's no need for you to clean surfaces so much - if your family have washed their hands when they've got in there'll probably be no need

Have you ever had therapy for this or anything? It's definitely worth discussing it with your doctor. There is help available. Do you have a partner you could discuss it with too? It can help to discuss it with loved ones xxx

[Julia31]

I'm not so much afraid of germs but I'm a control freak. I have to control everything around me and I can't seem to just let go right down to my body. I'm terrified of throwing up and fevers both of which sometimes can't be controlled. Sometimes I'll go completely crazy and start sanitizing and washing everything but not all the time. Are those signs of OCD? I don't know. I'm afraid to get diagnosed because I fear they'll put me on medication that will make me n***

[cinque]

They'd never force you onto medication. I think your doctor would take your fears about n* as a side effect seriously, so you could discuss treatment options. Something like CBT might be offered instead, so medication is not the only option, but then again it is very helpful for some people and doesn't make them n*, either I think you should mention it to your doctor if you want these episodes of washing everything etc to stop

[Morgan16]

Not sure if washing and cleaning is OCD. I guess I sort of thought so, but I am NOT a Dr.
For me I feel as though I can see the dirt and germs, even if the counter and door knobs seem clean, they look dirty to me if I know someone has just been at the mall, gas station, school and was touching them without washing their hands first. Once I clean I feel so much more relaxed. I suppose that is where my fear of V* comes from. The control thing... Also when I was young I got sick to my sotmach A LOT, I would voimt so much in a 24 hour period. I would also get car sick. I wonder if getting so much as a kid makes things worse for an adult? I also hate public restrooms, not only do I think they are dirty I don't like hearing what other people are doing. Like in the airport I heard someone getting ill. Not a good thing for someone with my phobia.

[cinque]

Aww yes - I suppose the thing is - are we frightened of the germs themselves or the subsequent v*ing? Fear of germs for their own sake is a different phobia - mysophobia I think?