About Contamination OCD
Contamination OCD is a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) where individuals experience intense fear of germs, dirt, or contamination. This fear leads to compulsive behaviors aimed at preventing perceived contamination or cleaning up what they believe may be contaminated. The obsession centers around fears of becoming dirty, sick, or harming others due to exposure to contaminants. For individuals with Contamination OCD, the fear of contamination can be extremely broad, and the things they believe could be contaminated may vary widely. Typically, they believe that certain objects or environments may carry harmful germs, viruses, bacteria, bodily fluids, or other substances that could cause illness, harm, or discomfort. The compulsions are actions taken to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsessive thoughts. In contamination OCD, these often involve cleaning, washing, or avoiding things perceived as contaminated.
