Does Anybody Have A Obsession With Washing? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Sari05 · 09-14-2007, 08:54 PM

I do. I have a obession with washing, a little bit germs, checking things, and a little bit of counting. But my biggest obsession is with washing. I used to wash my hands alot, but now I don't wash them that much.

Everytime I take a shower, I feel like I have to wash my body more than once to make sure that it is clean. When I wash my hair, I am in the shower for about 30-40 minutes. But when I don't wash my hair, I am in the shower for about 10-15 minutes.

All this washing is driving me crazy!!! Do I really have to wash my body more than once? I only take one shower a day. Also alot of times after I get out of the shower, I wonder if there was a part of my body that I didn't wash. When that happen's, I have that thought for hours and it drives me crazy.

I am on medication. I am seeing a Psychiatrist for medication, and I am seeing a Psychologist for therapy on my OCD. The medication that I am on is: Cymbalta and Geodon.

I am thinking about joining a offline support group for OCD, should I do that?
What should I do? I really need some help right now. I am not doing so well.

Please help me.

Thank you.

Sari05 · 09-14-2007, 08:55 PM

Somebody please help me.

member12345 · 09-15-2007, 07:04 PM

Hi,

I see you haven't received any replies and will give you some advice as soon as I get on the internet again. I would do it now but internet is being turned off in 2 minutes by administrator. Take care.

Sari05 · 09-15-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by member12345

Hi,

I see you haven't received any replies and will give you some advice as soon as I get on the internet again. I would do it now but internet is being turned off in 2 minutes by administrator. Take care.

Hi Member,
Okay that would be great, thanks. I really appreciate that. I really do need some help. I don't know what else to do.

Linda in MI · 09-15-2007, 09:18 PM

I am the parent of a 10-year-old who has contamination OCD. He was diagnosed in 2005. He used to wash his hands, and other parts of his body, all day long. He is much improved now, but still washes considerably more than the average person. He also has many of the same issues that you do - for example, after he has washed up, he wonders if he missed a spot and feels the need to go back and wash it again. I know it is distressing for him.

It is good that you have a psychiatrist and psychologist. What suggestions have they given you regarding how to deal with this? How long have you been taking Cymbalta and Geodon? Maybe you need to ask the psychiatrist if changing the meds might be helpful? My son switched from Prozac to Lexapro last year and that seemed to help him.

I know OCD is a horrible disorder and very few people truly understand the anguish that is causes. If a support group is available to you, it probably wouldn't hurt to join it. Hopefully, you will have better days soon. Good Luck!

Linda