Cleanliness OCD ... a late occurrence and very frustrating?!

Cleanliness OCD ... a late occurrence and very frustrating?

Hello,

Within the last couple of years, I have been visited by extreme cleanliness obsessions --

I can't walk around the house without sandels on ... I have no idea what I am stepping on

I don't travel anymore because the slightest bit of uncleanliness sends me loopy. The thought of beds, jacuzzi showers and such that have been used by a bizillion other unknowns is enough to send me to the loony bin ... There have been so many opportunities to travel to nice places, this stops me cold!

Bathrooms -- holy smoke I just can't even think about them anymore ... when I think about cleaning a bathroom or just how dirty they get -- I go off on this crazy loop.

I have been on Wellbutrin for this and have replaced it with Lexipro ... I am in my forties, female and very scared that I am loosing my mind.

I am not looking for answers -- maybe someone who can relate and offer a bit of friendly support.

Thank you.

I have OCD and have for years. I'm 17 years old, and almost 8 people on my mother's side of the family has it. My cousin was 7 when she got it and it was so bad she needed medication prescribed for it. My mother has the cleanliness issue, she washes her hands every 7 minutes or so. She loves handsoap, we have like atleast 8 bottles at a time in our cabinet and almost use a bottle every 2 days. I had Zoloft and my OCD got better. But, OCD can be cured without medications. You should watch the MTV True Life about OCD. They got over it with counseling. It can be difficult and it seems like it over runs your life.

BTW: When we go to hotels, we strip the blankets and only use the sheets. We know those are clean, lol. They wash only the linen, not the top comforters. Nothing is wrong with that!!