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.
My first experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) came at the age of 7 years old, with severe intrusive thoughts. As I got older, my OCD
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Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
The need for cleanliness and tidiness is sometimes the sign of a mental health condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder.
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Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Several mental conditions can cause episodes of feeling as if you're losing your mind. As a therapist, I've seen most of them—here's what you should know.
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If you feel like your aversion to being touched is intense, it’s natural to wonder what the underlying cause might be—especially if it's interfering with your life.
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Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Having dreams about your teeth falling out can be disturbing. Find out what therapists have to say about what it might mean.
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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.
If you’re experiencing recurring fears about drinking water in general or drinking tap water due to concerns about becoming ill, this can be a sign of Contamination OCD. If you are experiencing fears that you may ingest too much water or not enough, this may also be related to Health OCD fears.
By Jenna Demmer
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Excessive fears related to vomiting that cause high levels of distress could be a symptom of a Specific Phobia known as “Emetophobia.”
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Reviewed by Tracie Ibrahim
Phobias, anxiety, and OCD can all be involved in this very real fear—whether you're getting your blood drawn or getting a flu shot.
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Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC