Obsessive Compulsive disorder?!


Question: I am so scared of germs! the main reason is because I am afraid of throwing up, and I am scared of catching any germs that might make me scared. I go out of my way to protect myself from viruses and am so parinoid about throwing up. Also I have to do things in order all the time, or else I get really stressed/mad. Anyone know how I can stop this??


Answers: I am so scared of germs! the main reason is because I am afraid of throwing up, and I am scared of catching any germs that might make me scared. I go out of my way to protect myself from viruses and am so parinoid about throwing up. Also I have to do things in order all the time, or else I get really stressed/mad. Anyone know how I can stop this??

I understand what you mean...I'm terrified of germs as well, so I'm super careful about washing my hands all the time and making sure my food is cooked thoroughly. Whenever I know someone is sick (especially with a stomach bug) I get really anxious because I fear the symptoms as well.

If your fear of germs and need for order has gotten to the point where it's disrupting your life (as in you're spending several hours a day worrying about germs or putting things in order), then it's time for help. There are medications available that would help calm your obsessions/compulsions. Talk to your family doctor about your symptoms...he or she might prescribe something for you. However some family docs don't feel comfortable prescribing psychiatric meds (family practice doctors don't receive a lot of training in psychiatry) and will refer you to a psychiatrist for meds. Also it might be helpful for you to seek therapy in order to help you better understand why you have these obsessions and compulsions and how to control them. Here's some info on OCD and treatments:

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide...
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx25t....
http://www.medicinenet.com/obsessive_com...

see a proffessional- really.

You may well suffer from emetophobia, so see sections 27, and 7, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Therapy may help, preferably from a psychologist experienced in treating both: first examine the www.1-800-therapist.com website. It's impossible to protect yourself from germs: many viruses are airborne, so the best thing to do is keep your immune system working well, by exercising for 30 mns daily, and eating healthily, in accordance with your "nutritional type" at www.mercola.com SEARCHBAR. Don't use antibacterial wipes, etc., because they just breed superbugs. Stress: See stress treatments, at *ezy-build, below on page 42. Practise daily, one of the relaxation techniques on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i; whichever works best for you, but the mindfulness breathing for 15 - 20 mns is ideal, although the progressive muscle relaxation can be learned quickly, and takes only several minutes, if pressed for time. Employ the EFT version for use in public, for which you can reasonably claim that you have a headache, as you massage/tap your temples. Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o refer. "Even though I sometimes suffer from stress, I deeply and completely accept myself". You can also multitask, using the gazing technique, as you walk/jog or exercise, by focusing on a distant object, noting any thoughts which flash across your mind, without pursuing any particular train of thought, just gently redirect your focus to the gazing. Take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements, daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements, or a teaspoonful of the oil (I spread mine on toast, and mask its strong taste with fishpaste, and pepper), in the winter months only. Since OCD is thought to be an anxiety disorder, also view section 6, at ezy-build.

No matter what people say, no matter who you talk to to better yourself, it all depends on one thing.

Everything falls on you. You're the only person who can make the change.

so, seeing a professional might not be a great idea unless you're very sure that it'd inspire you or create habit to help you change yourself.


I'm not quite sure how to stop it per say but I'm sure there are ways to cope with it without the use of drugs. (though if you can't handle it you might want to talk to a psychiatrist about a prescription for some drugs)

I'd suggest some small exercises that you know you can change, like sleeping habits or study habits.

Say you're in college and you know that you use to take naps throughout the day in high school because it's laid back but you can't handle college if you sleep that much.

I'd suggest trying to stay up as late as possible for as much as possible and eventually you'll be able to take minimal sleep with more ease and that'll help you with studying late at night.

I'd suggest the same with your "OCD" (if it's been officially diagnosed)

I'd suggest that if it makes you scared that you'll vomit then take things slowly.

I'm sure you've heard of the 3 second rule.

Take that a step down and touch a spot that you know is not so clean, and just don't wash your hands for awhile. Take deep breaths and see how you fair. Then go wash your hands .

If you can handle that, take it up a knotch and try to push yourself to do things like... gardening, work with dirt. Maybe after awhile you'll be more accustom to it.

look things up online. Your body can take a lot of things, the more you know about how your body fights disease the more confident you'll be.


In fact, your stomach can handle raw meat. It may be filled with disease but your stomach acid can handle it.

Your skin, protects you from so many diseases that it's almost in fathomable.

A lot of "germs" don't do anything at all, they're just bacteria that eat other bacteria. There are bacteria inside your body right now which actually help you digest, and survive.

If you're afraid of viruses, there are many vaccinations and the ones which don't have vaccinations, you could just be a little careful with.

Most viruses aren't airborne so it'll be easy to avoid.

So just take it easy, think about what you're doing, why you're obsessing when you do.

Try to calm down and recite the facts to yourself.

(don't go looking for things that could possibly harm you, go looking for what your immune system can do, otherwise you'll just worry more.)





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