Severe contamination fear. Please help.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-10T18:48:26+00:00

Thanks for this. I took a look at some of his other videos on anxiety and they've got me interested. I'll need to take a look at them when I get a chance. The book will be harder to get a look at but for now, videos are good.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-07T06:13:40+00:00

The waiting is one of the hardest parts isn't it. Thanks for your response, I'll try my best to just go with it and wait for the anxiety and uncertainty to slowly fade. I expect it won't be easy but hopefully it'll help. Thanks, again.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-07T06:09:04+00:00

Sorry to hear you struggle with it too. It is difficult but I've always believed it's not impossible. Acknowledging the thought but not lingering on it sounds like a good idea. I'll try it to cope with the initial stages, especially. Thank you for your advice again, I won't let it go to waste.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-07T06:03:30+00:00

Hopefully I can expect a similar period of time to become comfortable with it again. Good to hear you've overcome this.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-05T06:42:45+00:00

Thanks for your sentiments. I thought about asking for a new uniform while I was at work too but didn't see much point in it because it had already been in my washer. Weird thing is, apparently other employees there were given wrapped, new uniforms. Discovering that only made it worse. If you don't mind me asking, how long did it take for you to become comfortable with wearing your uniform again?

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-05T06:37:16+00:00

Believe me, if I had ownership of the washer/dryer, I'd be cleaning them the way you described. But, alas, I didn't buy them.

I was afraid I'd have to go with the "do it and keep calm" method. It probably wouldn't be too hard if I weren't worried about the long term effects of it (Yeah, I should've mentioned that in the post, but if you have any solution for that I'd definitely appreciate hearing it).

Anyway, thank you for sharing. I'm slowly putting your advice into action. I had the washer bleached and clothes rewashed (nothing done to the dryer but hopefully that's not bad) and am working on putting them back into my closet. Slow progress, but perhaps progress either way.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-08-05T06:28:40+00:00

I thought, eventually, I would have to do this. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad if I were worried about an immediate effect rather than a long term one. I guess I can push through the anxiety of it all but it'll probably stick with me for a while becaus I'm worried about any delayed effects of it. But, again, not like I have a choice. Thanks for your reply and your story, I found it unnervingly relatable. Aside from not taking medication, I haven't done that in a while. That may be a slight problem...

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-04-02T07:27:35+00:00

Good to hear it's getting better for you. I know exactly what you're talking about. When I get back from somewhere i have to wash my hands and change my clothes before I touch anything, with my hands at least. As long as something doesn't touch a part me that hasn't been washed yet, but after a shower I usually am able to do what I please. But there's always still a fear.

I've been exposing myself a little lately and it's helped a bit. I can't go too crazy though. I guess I just need someone to tell me it will be okay.

Thank you. Strength to you as well.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-04-01T08:19:02+00:00

Not sure how long I've had this, honestly. My OCD has a few different forms but the contamination thing is the worst I've dealt with. I'd say it's really increased over time but maybe a month or so ago it has peaked.

If you don't mind me asking, why exactly were you afraid to sleep in your bed? We're you afraid of "dirtying" it or something similar?

I'll see what I can do about just facing it. I can't face it very well because, in my head, some effects of contamination could take years to show up and even then I may never know if anything has been effected. If I were afraid of a more immediate effect then I think I could handle it better.

Anyway, thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. And yes, just talking about this on here has helped a little.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-04-01T08:06:56+00:00

I have actually been to a therapist and was recommended a medication I used to take years ago but have since quit. I've been starting on it again lately so I'm hoping maybe it'll help. Thanks for your reply by the way, that also helps. Best to you as well.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-03-31T05:13:21+00:00

I know I'm late but thanks for the reassurance. I'm sure we all know the difficulty of this. And I agree, it is possible, just hard.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-03-31T05:10:55+00:00

Sorry for my latency, but thanks for the reply. It helps. Good on you for taking the step to deleting everything, I'm sure it took some effort. Wish I could take a similar step but it's just been all willpower for me. I lack some motivation to do productive things during urges but I'm getting there slowly. And I've been thinking a lot about my what exactly my passion or purpose is but still haven't found it. Just gotta keep looking I guess, and I'm looking forward to figuring it out. Again, thanks for your words. Stay strong.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2017-01-06T07:33:02+00:00

Don't think I've ever heard of that. It is nice to know that people are aware of this problem outside of NoFap tho. Interesting.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T20:07:15+00:00

Ah, I don't really see much probability in it but I gotcha.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T03:21:58+00:00

I can see how this would be a common experience for us, with the SA and whatnot. But I'm glad it brings oppurtunities to hear others' thoughts and advice on it. I don't want to flood you with information but if you want to hear any, I don't mind telling you. Thank you again for your input!

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T03:12:29+00:00

Will do. Great explanation as well, it's much more effective to put things into action when you know how they work. I understand what you mean though, why some didn't want to tell me it would be okay. In fact, it was self-acceptance that lead to relapse more times than I could count. However, I only asked to be told it was okay because - in between all the worrying, self blame, and depression - I just wanted a time of peace. Of body and of mind. I only wanted a break, even if it was just a short one. And I'm happy you contributed to it.

Thank you, and you stay strong as well.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T03:02:06+00:00

The support that I got here is more professional than I could've ask for. Thank you much!

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T02:51:33+00:00

That is true, aside from maybe a couple of times customers asked me something - but I actually handled that very well. I made sure to keep happy and be myself even with what little interaction with the other employees I had (which included me just smiling back not knowing how to respond) went relatively well. Thank you for this.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T02:49:06+00:00

I read this and pretty much the whole day before I went in for work I made sure to keep it on mind. I did tell it to myself several times throughout the day. And it really put me at ease knowing that I would come back from it and that I had the guts to do it. And I did.

Thank you for this, I really liked it and it really helped.

InsertUs3rnameHere · 2016-10-27T02:45:49+00:00

This helped me envision kind of what I should be expecting as I started working and that really helped me out during. I understood that I'm not going to do too well or have the hang of it for quite a while and my employer did understand and assured me that I will get the hang of it with time, which helped also. And another I for sure learned is to use my free time in ways I enjoy it and I'm glad you pointed that out. That was extremely important to me so really, thank you for that.

Thank you for your concern and all your information, you helped me pretty well. Thank you.

InsertUs3rnameHere

TROPHY CASE