A job that might make OCD worse - thoughts on this??

[Feathers]

I have some contamination OCD. It may be partly 'realistic' (in that some things really can cause contamination/illnesses etc) but my family usually roll eyes when I mention things like that.. (Partly they can be too careless too though..)

So, I'd be qualified for some jobs that include contact with people - like hotel reception jobs or such, which I might like (not sure if that wouldn't be too noisy though?) but I would be afraid of contaminating them (germs/parasites/toxics). I already didn't even apply for a job that included a lot of contact with kiddies, because I thought it would drive me crazy, fearing to contaminate them or infect them with something..

The sane thing would be to go get checked for all possible fears with my doctor, but I'm afraid to go. /sigh/ Also, maybe there would be too many things to check? (And she might just think me too uptight about it all again and tell me to 'just relax'? huh?)

It might also be good to ask any vets or such about how long and to what degree eg dogs or cats can pose health risks.. (and if ordinary soap is enough to wash it off etc) I love neighbours' doggie to bits and take him for a walk sometimes, he's a bit unkempt though and might be a source of parasites and such.. And I've been in contact with some iffy-looking cats.. (Uncle told me though that some cats can only be a problem for some people and eg not for the owner..)

Also, there are 'super-resistent' bacteria in some hospitals, so just cleaning is apparently not the ultimate answer, and partly I know the human body just needs a good immune system.. It's still all a bit mind-boggling though.. I'm not afraid to be contaminated by other people at a hotel, mostly about infecting them.. Anyone else with these problems? And what to do about it?

Any thoughts on this?

 

[rodinski]

I used to have OCD concerning germs.

I also worked on the chemistry of fish tanks and maintained them. I put my hands in fish ****, semen, etc.. My main fear of contamination is male semen. Yet I put my hands in fish gunk for years.

 

[Jake123]

I used to have germ OCD, I would wash my hands like crazy and freak out if I touched anything gross etc. Now I couldn't care less, I was cured I guess lol

Imagine if someone with germs OCD got one of those jobs on "Dirty Jobs" (on TV)
Or if someone with like... an OCD that makes them open and close doors multiple times... got a job where they open and close doors to inspect them. lol

 

[Feathers]

Thanks for replies, guys!

It sounds like you might be a hypochondriac too as well. I have seen one episode of Obsessed on A&E and there was a guy just like you. I have obsessive thoughts with cleaning but not with germs.

He he I'm not a guy.. But yeah I may be a bit of an h. too... I wrote about it in another (Polly's) thread..
I'm even worse about doggy poo and parasites or such.. Especially as the neighbours' doggie is pretty unkempt.. (but soo adorable!!) I might really need to talk to a vet??

Rodinski & Jake, how did you manage to overcome it?

Oh and Rodinski, you don't eat much caviar, do you?

I'm just afraid of infecting the whole hotel or something??

 

[rodinski]

Rodinski & Jake, how did you manage to overcome it?

I honestly don't know. It wasn't something that effected me for some reason. Probably the fact of the water? The thought of the filtration and the lack of fish - human relation?

Oh and Rodinski, you don't eat much caviar, do you?

i honestly CAN'T STAND FISH FOOD. Uff, nasty stuff. xD

 

[tvang]

A girl in my therapy group had the same thing as you. After tratment she got better. The best way of getting rid of this is to work at a hotel. It'll nag you for the first few months but after a while the anxiety will disappear. As for hospital germs.....that only applies to certain diseases. When those outbreaks come the hospital usually quarantine the ward. So don't worry about that. They have special germ disinfectants to clean that mess.

 

[Feathers]

Thanks!

Apparently I'm not such a hypochondriac - I did get ill this weekend, later so did Mom & sis.. not sure who infected who and where.. Dad & Uncle were ill before us (a few weeks a go) anyway and we visited Uncle inbetween.. so hm?
My mom and sis think my bathroom might be a health risk too, sigh.. lol, still afraid to clean it..

Maybe I also got too nervous when I tried to make a list of all 'anxiety provoking/pure OCD thoughts-related' things.. Probably best to not make a list of all-?? or to just have a few 'low problem' ones first.. (to do CBT/ERP on...)

tvang, what kind of treatment did the girl you know have?

Maybe I just need to stop thinking about these things..

 

[tvang]

They found an assistant job for the girl in my therapy group. She had to work with children part time over a three month period. In addition keeping a log over any children that got seriously ill while she worked there (0, according to her log). When she had a cold the therapist told her to hug everyone she knew and then report back to us to see how many got ill.

I remember the first session we had after her first week at the kindergarten. She was hysterical and crying. However, watching her over time she became more confident and her anxiety decreased. By the end of the three month stint she actually wanted to stay on full time. She is now working full time at a hotel an greets guests regularly. So, the best way to get rid of that kind of OCD, or any other kind, is to keep doing what you are trying to avoid.

 

[tvang]

Just wanted to add, she did use an antidpressant while she was undergoing that therapy. It's called anafranil, but when we had a 6 months review (6 months after the therapy group finished) she was totally off medication. She looked happy and content without the medication.

 

[rodinski]

Just wanted to add, she did use an antidpressant while she was undergoing that therapy. It's called anafranil, but when we had a 6 months review (6 months after the therapy group finished) she was totally off medication. She looked happy and content without the medication.

That is what i'm hearing from a lot of peep on the net at least. Some people in RL too. Meds just don't seem to be that good of a cure. They need to really explore alternatives or at least understand OCD.

 

[Feathers]

They found an assistant job for the girl in my therapy group. She had to work with children part time over a three month period. In addition keeping a log over any children that got seriously ill while she worked there (0, according to her log). When she had a cold the therapist told her to hug everyone she knew and then report back to us to see how many got ill.

I remember the first session we had after her first week at the kindergarten. She was hysterical and crying. However, watching her over time she became more confident and her anxiety decreased. By the end of the three month stint she actually wanted to stay on full time. She is now working full time at a hotel an greets guests regularly. So, the best way to get rid of that kind of OCD, or any other kind, is to keep doing what you are trying to avoid.

Thanks, tvang, I really appreciate what you wrote. It gives me hope.

My sis now made me call my Dr next Monday and get an appointment (I'm scared ) She says to get checked for bacteria/parasites/gluten sensitivities/celiac disease or such - to have a calm mind - or wash dishes all week! /sigh/
I don't know why I agreed

We had a good talk, then she said if the Dr asks me to see a therapist to not resist. I'm not sure about that though, there's quite a stigma about mental health here and not sure if anyone is an OCD/nutrition/eco anxiety specialist anyway?
I think even getting results of tests would be okay and ease my mind though.

I don't dare to think the 'exaggerated ERP' thoughts though.. (Because people really did get sick last weekend, my sis and my mom - they didn't hold it against me though, they blamed dad or uncle for getting ill with this in the first place... And I didn't mind getting sick cause at least I had peace lol It's horrible the only time I have peace in this family is when I'm sick )
I believe more in the power of 'positive thinking' so I guess it's better to think 'healthy thoughts'...

I'll be applying for more jobs anyway, cause I really want to get out of the house.. It's been too stressful, with all of us living here...

Thanks once again, and hope you post anything else if you remember about this topic and find it helpful..

 

[tvang]

First of all I wish you good luck with the job applictaions. I really hope you get a job you'll enjoy and one that will also help you overcome this. Ameen.

As for the stigma of a therapist....I used to think the same myself. However, when I was really down and it was at its worst I realised that no one would be able to read it on my forehead (me visiting a therapist), unless I chose to tell someone. Its something I can keep as a private matter. So can you.

Your sister has the right idea about this. It's better to seek help now than leaving it too late. From personal experience, I have learned that people don't notice our faults half as much as we notice them. Having an OCD makes us fee selfconcious beyond words and most of your time will be spent trying to conceal you have a problem at hand. I did that myself for quite some time. Being the happy, cheerful, successful person outwardly and the supportive friend whom took on board everyones problems. Concealing your problems like that with an outwardly "everything is ok with you" attitude will only make you feel unhappy in the long run and the depression will hit you harder.

So give it a go in addition to positive thinking. The more routes you attack the problem from the quicker it will dissappear.

I'm better now than before. I still have a long way to go. However, after putting myself in situations which I avoided before things have become slightly better. Not long ago I wasn't able to take a bus or train. That is soooo easy now.

 

[Feathers]

Thank you very much Tvang!
What you wrote was very helpful at the time, I was sort of afraid to post into this topic though

I did get to the doc and she told me to go see a specialist for celiac.
I still need to go get an appointment, I'm scared a bit. The test is not nice, apparently. Though you have only a blood test first. But apparently it's not reliable enough?
So, we'll see..

Celiac can cause vitamin/mineral deficiencies and depressions and such too, so let's rule this one out first..

Also, I stopped thinking about OCD (germs etc) much and it helped..
I still get some thoughts, but as I've been ill (with the cold) I didn't have to do the dishes so this helped too..

I can relate to a lot that you wrote about being cheerful and not so on the inside.. Though with me it really depends, sometimes I really AM cheerful

I now just don't know if a nutritional creative CBT therapist (ideally free) exists in my country? Or if I need one at all - will probably wait for the test results first..

Also, because I told sis and she told mum and they all thought it very odd, I started thinking it was odd to think it too.. (So in a way it was helpful-?? ) And the pharmacists and the doc also thought it odd to spread something if you wash your hands with soap firmly, so I just bought a new soap and now try to hope it's really true what they said..

I think my sis really started this whole obsession with germs in the family, how do you deal with other people that are even more concerned about this? (I don't think she has OCD, not sure though..) she talks about germs a lot if someone has a cold or such.. and uses hand sanitizer sometimes etc. and won't let me compost budgie poo etc.
Is there a way to make her stop talking about germs or would that not be healthy/recommendable?