Contamination

[jonnykino]

My girlfriend came to stay, and things got a bit heated and I fingered her and she gave me a handjob. Then the OCD kicked in and I washed my hands a load of times. I then wouldn't put any of my stuff on the table next to my bed in case my hands had touched the table after fingering her, or if she had touched it after giving me a handjob. I intended on disinfecting the table but never got round to it, I just avoided the table. This incident happened nearly two weeks ago. Today, my dad moved my iPod from downstairs and put it on 'the table'. I don't know what to do now. I contemplated disinfecting it, but then I started worrying in case that could damage my iPod. Now I don't want it near my iPad or Mac or anything, and I wash my hands after touching it.

What do I do? Is this an irrational fear, or is the iPod 'contaminated' with.. *ahem*, bodily fluids? Or would those germs have gone? Or weren't there any in the first place? Can I use my iPod and not have to wash my hands, basically?

Thanks.

[lola099]

I totally understand what you are thinking. If I believe that something is contaminated then there is little that can be done to change my mind. I avoid things that I have deemed contaminated even if I know it is irrational. And I can say from experience that this is no way to life, at least not happily.

I would be curious to know what germs you are afraid of, this would help to put your mind at ease. Although I am pretty sure that there are no germs lingering on that table waiting to infect you.

When you say disinfect, I am also curious to know how you go about doing this.

I suffer from the same OCD so I know how it can feel. I am also pretty sure that no matter what we tell you, you are still going to worry that the table is contaminated.

You have come to the right place, we are here to help!

[nursegirl6572]

Oh, if it were as easy as everyone telling you you had no risk, eh!?  That's the crux of OCD!  Even YOUR rational mind knows you had no risk of any kind of contamination, but you cannot convince yourself of it.

JG asked some great questions about what kind of help you've gotten for the OCD.  Those kinds of thoughts aren't always ones you can "turn off".  A large majority of people with OCD need professional help to assist them in managing the thoughts and the compulsions.

[RainLover71]

You washed your hands several times,even if you hadn't there is absolutely no risk of contamination.

[michael852]

Ok my friend I will tell you with 120% that you ll be ok and there is nothing to be scared of at attl,its the OCD. The amount of fear you are showing reminds me of the same level of fear I show towards HIV and the fear I stepped on a discarded syringe.

[JGF25]

Oh my, so what exactly is it you are afraid of when you are talking about "bodily fluids?"  She is your girlfriend, right?  Someone that you are with exclusively?  

There is nothing on the table nor on your IPod.  Have you been formally diagnosed with OCD?  And if so, what kind of treatment have you had?