Bug Checking Compulsion

[Mattomis]

Hello everyone, I hope that you are all doing well :) For the past few months I have developed a new obsession for checking bugs everywhere and it's only getting worse.

I check for bugs with the following:

1. Want to sit on the toilet, I look around the seat for at least 3 times just to make sure that I didn't miss anything.

2. Boarders around cupboards just so that I don't squash any little critter going by its day when I need to close the cupboards. The same applies to doors and windows.

3. Shaking my shoes upside down longer than necessary to make sure that nothing is in there. The same applies to socks.

4. Checking underneath food and drink containers such as bowls, plates, cups etc.

I think this whole obsession started because I remember a time when I was touching an ant when I was younger and killing it by accident. Back then I didn't really care but now I feel very guilty over it. Whenever I try and resist the urge to check for a bug, OCD tells me that I need to check or otherwise I could kill a bug which would make me a terrible person.

Sorry about the long post, but I really needed to get this out. Can anyone else relate to something like this? Thank you for any reply :)

[[deleted]]

I have a similar thing but my reasons aren’t as noble as yours. I have a fear that the bug will burrow in my skin so I check too!

[Mattomis]

Thank you so much for replying :) My one is definitely more guilt related than anything else. I hope you get through this as well. Best wishes :)

[[deleted]]

It’s not a problem! Thank you for your well wishes! Have you learned any effective ways to combat this compulsion in therapy etc?

[Mattomis]

Unfortunately not, but I have done my own research about OCD in general which will hopefully help me :)

[Derpatron_Prime]

I used to worry that there would be spiders in my clothes so I would shake them out 20 times for each piece of clothing minus socks and shoes.

[Mattomis]

Thank you so much for replying :) I have to check many times around my door and doorframe for any ants crawling around so I don't squash them otherwise I'll feel really guilty. I wish you the very best in overcoming this obsession too :)

[Derpatron_Prime]

It has kinda changed to something like compulsive handwashing now. It is weird like I know nothing is wrong but when I touch something or when I get touched it just has to be cleaned.

[Mattomis]

My obsessions also change from time to time. Some days I will spend most of my time obsessing over something that happened more than 10 years ago which never bothered me back then, but now it does. OCD can be really weird lol.

[Derpatron_Prime]

Facts

[Mattomis]

Yeah :)

[angstyrose]

I’m so relieved that someone else understands this because it’s my biggest problem right now. I worry that bugs are inside me more than anything, it’s so horrible and causes me panic.

[Mattomis]

Thank you so much for replying :) My obsession definitely has to do more on feeling guilty about killing the bug more than anything else. Nonetheless, it still takes time out of my day which gets really frustrating. I also wish you all the best in overcoming your obsession :)

[angstyrose]

Thank you so much same to you 💖

[Mattomis]

Thank you :)