OCD affecting my relationship

[PumpkinSpice]

So I already am diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder and have noticed that I have developed an obsessive germophobic behavior that gets increasingly worse.

 

I can't have my boyfriend lay in bed with me unless he has showered beforehand. I don't think this is too much to ask for.. but I realize that what comes next is more complicated. I check his feet every time he takes off his socks before he comes into bed with me, I literally FREAK OUT if he scratches his balls and every time he touches his feet, balls, nose or anything else, I make him use hand sanitizer. Like if he had his pants on my floor and he puts them back on and tries to sit on my bed I will make a huge scene and I get intense anxiety when he uses my bathroom or combs his hair with my brush or even plays with the dog without taking a full shower afterward. I dont let him dry his hands in my towel after washing them. He has to have his own hand drying towel. He finds it very annoying but I can't help my phobia. I try to keep it inside but eventually I just explode in frustration.

 

Has anyone else experienced this? Anyone suffer from OCD, anxiety, or germophobia and have advice for how to help it? I sought therapy and literally all she did was listen. She didnt fix it lol. I need advice I feel terrible :/

[brokengirl85]

Don't feel bad. This is more usual than you think it is. But you need to get help.

Try with behavioral therapy. Exposure to the phobia will help you (they will make you confront your fears, in your case are germs so you'll probably have to touch garbage or do something similar) this will help you tremendously.

 

You can try asking your doctor to prescribe you ssri as well. Antidepressants. They'll help you with the anxiety.

 

You'll be ok. Just tell your boyfriend to be patient while you get some help.

[SwordofFlame]

Being clean to the extreme actually makes your immune system weaker.