OCD problems with dirtiness.

SnowTiger · Oct 26, 2020

Hi,

I’ve really been having a problem today. I think I have OCD as well as Schizophrenia. Basically, I’ve been having a big problem with worrying about dirt and cleanliness.

A series of events happened that has made me really upset. I feel like some of my clothes got dirty while they were drying outside. Well, I put those clothes in the dryer with all my other clothes and now I feel like everything is dirty. I’m paranoid that all my clothes are now dirty and I have to wear them and the whole thing is making me feel awful and disgusted. I’m not sure what I will do.

I will probably wear my clothes but won’t put them in my drawers so then I won’t feel like my drawers are contaminated with the dirt. The dirt isn’t visible, but it makes my skin crawl. I feel like I’m going to contaminate everything around the house by wearing dirty clothes.

Anyone have any advice? There is no visible dirt on the clothes, but it’s the thought of dirtiness that makes me feel nasty. Everything that touches the clothes feels dirty to me.

Thanks,

SnowTiger

justtrance · Oct 26, 2020

SnowTiger said:
Hi,

I’ve really been having a problem today. I think I have OCD as well as Schizophrenia. Basically, I’ve been having a big problem with worrying about dirt and cleanliness.

A series of events happened that has made me really upset. I feel like some of my clothes got dirty while they were drying outside. Well, I put those clothes in the dryer with all my other clothes and now I feel like everything is dirty. I’m paranoid that all my clothes are now dirty and I have to wear them and the whole thing is making me feel awful and disgusted. I’m not sure what I will do.

I will probably wear my clothes but won’t put them in my drawers so then I won’t feel like my drawers are contaminated with the dirt. The dirt isn’t visible, but it makes my skin crawl. I feel like I’m going to contaminate everything around the house by wearing dirty clothes.

Anyone have any advice? There is no visible dirt on the clothes, but it’s the thought of dirtiness that makes me feel nasty. Everything that touches the clothes feels dirty to me.

Thanks,

SnowTiger

Good evening friend! Do you have a doctor and counselor you can depend on for assistance with your mental health? There are therapy modalities that will help you manage.

Sun can also disinfect your clothes. The UV light can damage the DNA of the bacteria and microorganism, it can kill or stop their reproduction.

So, your clothes are cleaner than mine!

Mark Quayle · Oct 27, 2020

SnowTiger said:
Hi,

I’ve really been having a problem today. I think I have OCD as well as Schizophrenia. Basically, I’ve been having a big problem with worrying about dirt and cleanliness.

A series of events happened that has made me really upset. I feel like some of my clothes got dirty while they were drying outside. Well, I put those clothes in the dryer with all my other clothes and now I feel like everything is dirty. I’m paranoid that all my clothes are now dirty and I have to wear them and the whole thing is making me feel awful and disgusted. I’m not sure what I will do.

I will probably wear my clothes but won’t put them in my drawers so then I won’t feel like my drawers are contaminated with the dirt. The dirt isn’t visible, but it makes my skin crawl. I feel like I’m going to contaminate everything around the house by wearing dirty clothes.

Anyone have any advice? There is no visible dirt on the clothes, but it’s the thought of dirtiness that makes me feel nasty. Everything that touches the clothes feels dirty to me.

Thanks,

SnowTiger

People living in poverty, in the sticks of third world countries, would thank God for the ability to wear clothes as clean as yours. They don't have the luxury of OCD concerning cleanliness. "If your hand offend you cut it off." Bite the bullet, don't let yourself be a slave to your OCD. This life is not about you, but about Christ.

justtrance · Oct 27, 2020

Mark Quayle said:
People living in poverty, in the sticks of third world countries, would thank God for the ability to wear clothes as clean as yours. They don't have the luxury of OCD concerning cleanliness. "If your hand offend you cut it off." Bite the bullet, don't let yourself be a slave to your OCD. This life is not about you, but about Christ.

OCD is not a luxury! It's a health issue.

It can be handled by seeking God AND by utilizing the hands of professionals that God will certainly put into place to help.

Also, if your hand offend you... refers to sin... ocd is not a sin.

Mark Quayle · Oct 27, 2020

justtrance said:
OCD is not a luxury! It's a health issue.

It can be handled by seeking God AND by utilizing the hands of professionals that God will certainly put into place to help.

Also, if your hand offend you... refers to sin... ocd is not a sin.

"If you hand offend you" applies to the seriousness of life --if Snow Tiger has this as a main focus in life, he/she needs to seriously deal with it, by whatever means, and overcome it.

Jaxxi · Oct 27, 2020

Do they smell dirty? Remember that we are blessed to have washers and dryers since back in the old days they washed their clothes in urine and imagine how they felt!! Rewash them if it is that bad and let them dry indoors hanging on the shower rod. That is what I do with mine and they smell great! It is when I hang them outside they smell like dirt.

Jeshu · Oct 27, 2020

It is best to fight the lies by ignoring them and not obeying the demands they make in your mind.

Clothes washed = clean, end of argument!

Factual truth is very important in a Christians life, especially when we suffer from a mental illness.

So no, don't give into your fears and feeling dirty just because your ill mind tells you so. You know better. You know they are clean, don't give room for doubt.

Ask Jesus to teach you to hold onto the truth. Very important, for believing lies always end up hurting God, you and your loved ones.

Peace.

Sal Robinson · Oct 27, 2020

Praying for you Snow Tiger.....this thought pattern is going to inhibit the way you live your life

but I know these thoughts and beliefs seem so real, and I pray you find professional help or a good friend to articulate these beliefs....and by finding the root behind these beliefs...your eyes may open

I'll tell you a story.....I recently double checked things again and again and again...so much so it slowed me down in life

toook me a while to recognise that it was because i got fired for a mistake once where I failed to check something properly......so my fear was behind my fear of getting fired again

so there's a story to every belief

Find the story and you can make a new story....praying for you with all my heart friend

keep updated

you are not fighting this battle alone

you have our prayers!!!

Dendy · Oct 27, 2020

Hey. I think it's the substance or whatever you fear could have touched the clothes that's making you afraid. Maybe we can help you overcome the fear of it. Was it just dirt? If it was just dirt of course absolutely you have nothing to fear!!!!!!! A lot of times I have to decide to just go on when things like that happen. I know it's hard. Bless your heart.

SnowTiger · Oct 27, 2020

Thank you guys for all the help. I really appreciate it. I think that Mark Quayle is right. My clothes are definitely cleaner than someone's in a third world country. I'm going to try not to let the OCD get to me and just wear the clothes without worrying about them.

Thanks,

SnowTiger

Novis · Oct 27, 2020

I would suggest taking this one step at a time. E.g. get used to wearing clothes you suspect are dirty before putting them with the others.

Leet · Oct 27, 2020

You need to ask your doc about some strong meds for OCD. That's what it is, and no amount of reasoning or scripture will make a difference.

OCD problems with dirtiness.

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