Health and Contamination OCD
Health concern/contamination OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive thoughts and fears about becoming sick or contaminated, or spreading contaminants or disease. Compulsions may be obvious to others, like repetitive hand washing, or invisible, like compulsive prayer.
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Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
Contamination OCD is a subtype of OCD, in which obsessions and compulsions center on germs, illness, or contamination. Common compulsions often include
By Yusra Shah
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
A fear of feet (aka podophobia) may stem from trauma, genetics, or contamination OCD, but it can be treated with exposure and response prevention therapy.
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Most people don’t feel particularly excited about a hospital visit. What if I receive bad news from the doctor—about myself or a loved one?
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Between the Covid-19 pandemic and regular seasonal viruses, we’ve all received a lot of messaging about the importance of washing our hands. But, what
By Jill Webb
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
It’s not difficult to understand that while everyone needs to eat to survive, each individual’s relationship with food is quite different. We all have
By Jill Webb
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
“I’m terrified of black mold. How will I know if it’s spreading in my house and I just haven’t spotted it?” “What if I didn’t notice mold spores on the
By Jill Webb
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
It’s normal to experience a bit of an “ick” about less-than-clean environments, but people with mysophobia—aka germophobia, sometimes spelled
By Fjolla Arifi
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Picture this: You’re enjoying a nice brunch with friends, but you realize you need to excuse yourself for a moment—”nature calls.” It happens to everyone.
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
There’s nothing like worrying about your health to keep you up at night. You feel an abdominal cramp and fear your appendix is bursting. You hear about a
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder categorized by excessive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive — and
Reviewed by Dr. Keara Valentine
Someone experiencing fear of drug overdose in OCD may worry about dying from ingesting, inhaling, coming into contact with harmful substances
By Melanie Dideriksen, LPC, CAADC
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Fear of concussions in OCD involves recurrent, persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts related to head trauma/concussion.
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
Fear of spit in OCD involves repetitive contamination fears and worry about contracting illness by coming into contact with saliva or spit.
A fear of sunburn associated with OCD involves recurrent, persistent, unwanted, and intrusive thoughts, images, or urges related to sunburns.
An intense fear of boogers or mucus is common in Contamination OCD, and can be very debilitating interfering with many areas of life.
OCD fear of HIV is a focus in Contamination/Health OCD where individuals fear they will contract, or may have contracted, the HIV virus.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
In the era of “clean eating,” orthorexia is a commonly misunderstood eating disorder.
An intense, persistent fear of poison can be a sign of OCD. People may fear being poisoned themselves or that they could poison others.
Sometimes people who struggle with OCD also struggle with maladaptive daydreaming to escape the anxiety caused by their obsessions.
If you’re experiencing fears about coming into contact with sperm and becoming contaminated or feeling dirty, it may be Contamination OCD.
By Stacy Quick, LPC