20 year old - OCD questions

Hi, I'm 20 years old and I've been recently diagnosed with OCD and because of that I've become completely fearful of catching all different kinds of diseases. I began washing my hands many times a day, which caused a few tiny cuts on my hands here and there. My doctor's nurse said to make sure I moisturize, because one can get blood-borne infections by having these small cuts, which freaked me out and now I'm very scared of catching HIV, Hep C, etc. Is this possible? And what kind of situation would I have to be in for this to happen? Am I just over-reacting. I've just gotten over a bought of fear of having HIV and Hep C and now I've definitely began worrying again.

Also, I've been having many health problems lately, which has caused me to go to many doctors and have my blood drawn about 4 or 5 times in one month. I've grown a fear of also catching HIV or Hep C this way. Everyone has told me that no matter where you go they use new or disposable needles. I also asked my doctor and his nurse and they both agreed, however I'm just still so scared that I can't enjoy anything I do anymore. I don't even buy stuff anymore, because I don't feel like I deserve it. So, do places where you get your blood drawn use new needles or lancets on each person? No matter how many times you get it done?

I just keep feeling like I have to have caught HIV for some reason. I keep seeing things related to it on TV and discussions come up about it at school. I feel like it's a sign. I'm seeking professional help, but I'd like to know if anyone else feels the same way, because no one I know relates to me or even cares.

Sorry for such the long post, but thanks!

[amber15]

Hey i don't know the answers to your questions, but i do kow exactly how you feel. I too, have OCD and it has gotten really bad lately, just like you i have to wash my hands several times a day which causes cuts. And i freak out that im going to getseveral diffrent diseaes,. I recently went to my local hospital and did the HOPE139 program. It tells you if your brain overthinks things, or underthinks things, or is right on track. I n my case, i overthink things and my brain is really stressed. Anyways then you bascially exercise your brain, and in about two months, you should be right on track. Anyways, i hope you look into it, just google it or something to find out more informatin.

[A0727]

That program sounds interesting. And in only two months? That's amazing. Do you know if that kind of program is at many different hospitals or just your local one?

[Jboy284]

you have to stand up to ocd to help it, ive been diagnosed with ocd, the best thing to do is to realize that your thoughts are not logical, i had an obsession with unlucky numbers, i had to scratch out certain numbers that i wrote to keep something bad from happening, but now i write those numbers down and dont scribble them out, and i tell myself that nothing bad is going to happen from me writing a number down. Just tell yourself that ocd is causing u to think this way, when you feel u need to wash ur hands, dont wash them. tell yourself its ocd and that your not going to catch anything by not washing your hands, of course you will probably stress out over it because of the ocd, but dont give in to it, eventually the stress will leave. and it will probably come back but just keep telling yourself that your thoughts are unreasonable and that its the ocd and dont act on what your obsessing over. after you act on it, the obsession is coming back anyway.

[A0727]

Thanks a lot for the advice. For the past couple of days I've been trying to not worry about germs, ocd and stuff. I've also been prescribed medicines to help me overcome it, but I've decided that I wanted to get over this whole obsession thing on my own. I've definitely been doing some of the things you suggested, such as trying to be logical and tell myself that nothing bad is going to happen.

[Jboy284]

no problem. im glad to help. continue to be strong and fight the ocd. eventually just learn to ignore ocd. dont even give an unlogical obsession a second thought. glad i could help.