Contamination in OCD

Are you a germophobe? People have phobias of all sorts of things -- heights, insects, blood, needles, dogs, you name it. However, people with a fear of germs typically do not have a phobia. Often, this is the contamination subtype of OCD. This will often manifest in tendencies to avoid people, places, or things that are thought to be contaminated. Sometimes the contamination is of a specific disease like HIV or hepatitis, or just general "germs." Other times the contamination can be more vaguely defined. In its extreme forms, contamination OCD can result in people feeling that their homes are too contaminated to continue living in. How do you know if your fear of contamination is a big problem, or just a quirk? Here are some tips -- you should consider seeking help if:

• the contamination can spread from one thing to another and then another
• attempts to rid yourself or your surroundings of contamination of caused you to be late to work, school, or other engagements
• contamination fears have affected your sex life or your romantic relationship(s)
• efforts to prevent/contain contamination have significantly lengthened your daily routines
• time spent washing, disinfecting, or otherwise cleaning has become excessive, or is thought to be excessive by others