Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) whereby one experiences contamination-related obsessions or compulsions. Contamination entails a fear of encountering dirty items or environments, often leading to a compulsion to engage in excessive cleaning behaviors.
Individuals with contamination OCD may engage in excessive washing of themselves or their surroundings. For example, they might clean kitchen floors meticulously using a toothbrush and soap. Alternatively, they may purchase a significant quantity of individually wrapped hand soaps and dispose of each one after a single use, opening a new package each time.
Such behaviors are commonly driven by a fear of contracting diseases through germs that are on surfaces (Covid is a perfect example).
For this reason, sufferers of these types of obsessive compulsive thoughts may go to specific lengths to avoid:
- Restaurants
- Working alongside coworkers (prefer remote or isolative work)
- Contact with other people (hugging, hand shaking)
- Public restrooms
- Door knobs, handles, or windows
- Hospitals
- Religious gatherings or any public gathering