Does anyone have contamination OCD? I just got diagnosed even though I’ve been dealing with the symptoms for years and didn’t realize it was such an issue. How is your experience?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

DMed you!

You feel out of control about something and you need to address it stat. Compulsive cleaning escalates ugly if not treated.

Yes my own dad was like this, and I have an aunt with the same issue. By the end of his life he was compulsively collecting items until he passed with 70 Fresca bottles in the garage (all expired). The issue is he wasn’t even cleaning what he thought he was cleaning. A neurotypical looking to clean would invest an hour or two now and again and clean the entire space properly, but the patterns in his type of cleaning were like using clean parts of an old sponge to swab the same part of the counter at the same time every day while leaving crumbs on far flung parts of the counter. He’d put tub powder to scrub but would leave mildew on the walls.

When you stand back and empirically see it, if you are spending more time cleaning the same items or organising them regularly but do not see a corresponding shift in their cleanliness commensurate with effort, there’s a flag. Today I organized my lipstick by color, tomorrow by brand and finish then color..it’s a waste of life. I’m mild on this spectrum, and I know I’m avoiding the difficult issues around my breakup, health, and life not being where I want them to be at this age. I feel worthless, so I’m investing in worthless details and activities. At this point the $1000 I spent on this lipstick would better serve me if I even threw all of them out.

You’re avoiding something in your life and using this cleaning as a low effort activity to feel productive when it’s just an excuse, and whatever that thing is is making you feel a loss of control over your life. So instead of attacking the difficult problem, you’re focusing on a small fry activity because it is easy. Your level of attn will go from high up down to lower and lower until you’re paranoid about germs. It’ll be anything except dealing with the giant difficult emotions or issues driving you to this behavior.

You’ll create bigger problems for yourself and this will snowball until it overwhelms you, so I suggest getting someone to methodically guide you out of your habits one step at a time before this gets worse. Nip it in the bud. My aunt second removed is OCD extreme, and she has a weird plastic bag system for going to the bathroom because she feels the seat is unclean. The raw sewage in a plastic bag is no better. She’ll scrub her skin in boiling hot water until it comes off and bleeds.

I mean..no matter what ghost you’re avoiding, you cannot love yourself so little as to let yourself slide. Self care looks like pulling out the big guns and tough love more than it looks like a day at the spa.

I wonder what it is you’re dealing with that has driven you to this place? Sometimes people even need help identifying it. In the short term you may want to downsize or rid yourself of a lot of belongings so you have less to maintain.

helpful

Related Posts

Hey all, Any suggestions for a personal trainer in Chicago?

like

Has anyone had a Manager that does not work well with your ADHD? Im going through this right now and the way they communicate doesn’t match what I need. If I ask questions, they huff and puff. But then get upset if something is done and it doesn’t meet their exact expectations. It’s sucks that I don’t have enough interest to continuously focus on the projects, but now I have even less motivation because I dread dealing with my manager.

like

Does relocation to touristic cities (workations) really work? I have experience working summer jobs in foreign countries and was thinking about doing that now, or at least plan for next year.

I am curious about the impact it has on the work/life balance as well as the mental health, after several years of doing the same position in different companies.

Which health insurance is good to take for family in a long run. Would like to stick to it for a decade.

like

Anyone talk to a Muslim therapist? Muslim matters because I’d like to talk about marital issues, and not sure others will get the religious context. NYC preferred. TIA!

like

Any recommendations to avoid feeling sleep towards the end of the work day? 3-5 PM I start doing the famous head bob if you know what I mean 🤣

like

What’s the one strategy/technique/ritual that has worked the best for your mental health? (Even if that was not the intention of it)

like

Inflation is a b*tch

Post Photo
likefunny

When you encounter a conspiracy theorist re the vaccines, do you set them straight or do you just ignore it? I struggle w how to approach this.

like

Someone once asked me what the most expensive piece of jewelry I owned besides my engagement ring. I thought really hard and said- my stethoscope?

like

I think I have ADHD. I’m middle-aged. This has never been a problem for me before, but I’ve taken several screening tests and I’m scoring really high. What do I do?

like

Tricare Q:

Vets using Tricare with a family. I’m out and can use Tricare with the VA, but my wife and I each use our company offerings for our family; which obviously come at cost. Is it worth it to switch to Tricare? Has anyone done this and can share details? Positives/negatives?

like

I have recovered from Corona Virus. Its 6 weeks now and I can tell you that the after effects are real. I have anxiety that I will never get over the fatigue, brain fog, inability to form sentences and words and headaches which make my work days very difficult to get thru.

like

Everyone coming into NZ from somewhere else will now need to self quarantine for 14 days. And no cruise ships can dock until after 30 June. Good luck my fellow Antipodeans.

Had a quick question about anyone’s experience with WIN fertility / Freedom Pharmacy and the medication benefit. We just got the call from Freedom and they said our first round of IVF drugs are $9,000

As the Friday progresses to its end my dopamine level starts increasing.....😂😀😀

likefunny

How I’m feeling right now..

Post Photo
likefunny

My fiance got Monkey Pox, it's no joke folks. Get the vaccine even if you aren't into the "scene." You rub arms with the wrong person or enter an enclosed space with someone who has mouth sores, it's going to be a bad time.

smart

Questions to make sure to ask at first egg freezing consult with RE? It’s my first time so I want to make sure I don’t miss anything!

like

Please stop assuming your employees are available 24/7 to jump on impromptu video calls. Mental health is important, too.

likehelpfulsmartfunny

More Posts

If your employer mandated you need to come in 5 days a week would you consider quitting? My situation is I live in my geographical territory and the office is 45 minutes away. No performance issues at quota consistently.

like

Hi folks, I have a experience of 1.5yrs in mulesoft but I want a role as Java developer. please provide me a referral. TIA

like

At what point in your career would you consider moving from consulting to industry? Looking at the sustainability strategy side of things

like

I have my offer interview scheduled for next week at EPAM Anywhere . The duration is of 1 hour.
I wonder what happens in this interview that it takes an hour to do. Can anyone share their experience?

like

What should be a decent package as per market currently for 6 years experience?

like

If you’re not buying MGNI, idk what to tell you ... $11->$18.6 in a week and MktCap is still 2.1Bn. P/S is 5, and it has room to grow for a MktCap of 5Bn based on competitors. Just putting that out there

likefunny

I have a set of virtual interviews that last from 9-5 with 8 different people. Why does that seem a little excessive to me? I understand that they want to make sure many people across different departments approve of me but it still seems like a lot.

like

Hi,
I am going to attend the interview for senior consultant PMO, any kind soul can elaborate the process and preparation tips for the same.
Also whether case studies will b part of interview?
Thanks

like

I'm applying for an Instructional Designer role with Cisco. Can someone please provide a referral? Thank you!

Post Photo
like

Hi all! I’m an Australian citizen (currently living in the US), and am moving to Sydney in August. I currently work at Accenture in the US with 2.5 YOE. How would you suggest applying for jobs/networking? While I’d be happy to stay at Accenture and transfer, I’m also open to other firms as well. Any leads are greatly appreciated!

like
like

Hey friends!,
Need urgent advice.
I joined
KPMG 3 months ago , received offer from wolters kluver with 25% hike , what should i do ??? Both side similar workload . KPMG Wolters Kluwer. KPMG India

like

Who are the top consulting firms for competitive strategy?

like

What is the TC range for managers in Accenture's Salesforce practice? Coming in with 4 YOE, 7x SF certs and am currently manager in the Technical Architect team at a boutique SI partner(1000-3000) employees. Thanks for the help! Accenture

likefunny

Can anyone refer me to the Starz/Lionsgate Legal Affairs, Counsel role? I’d be happy to send you my resume first. Thanks!

likesmart

Hi all,
I started a job hunt in Investment Banking for energy related position. I am wondering whether banks has referral system like consulting or tech. I applied to macquarie and found reference column there but could not find that column in other banks. Can you please share your information and if any of you currently is working in IB at energy related position willing to chat, please comment and i will follow up with you

like

How is NTT overall as a company in terms of wlb and vertical growth etc.
Is it good to consider it against Genpact?

Which one of the big 4 hires the best law firm to do the immigration?

likesmart

Additional Posts in Depression/Anxiety Talk

How does someone like Elon Musk can go on to do so much while I can barely get out of my bed, keep my job and have the will to live?

like

Been in bed with full blown panic attack all day 🙁 Struggling to even breath

like

5 years post-MBA and all my classmates are VPs in industry or Principals in consulting/IB (some are even Partners/MDs already). I sat in the same classes with these folks for 2 years — probably outperformed some of them academically. Yet, here I am continuing to struggle with my student debt payments, hoping that “Uncle Joe” forgives 20% of it. I’ll never have that kind of earning potential because I didn’t come from the “right background” pre-MBA.

like

What’s the thought that keeps you from giving up?

like

How have you combated your fear of rejection? I fixate on such small things as when my friends, for example, reject plans I have made. This definitely makes me more averse to putting myself out there and makes me ruminate on past perceived failures, which are clearly not good for personal growth

like

What’s your take on why depression/anxiety is so prevalent in consulting?

Ordered a shroom grow kit and two kinds of spores. I've never taken them and always wanted to. Let's see if they do anything to rewire the brain like some people say!

like

I’ve been terribly unhappy with all that comes with the consulting lifestyle. How do I know if it’s the job or underlying depression and anxiety?

like

Opinions on AbleTo?

like

I'm feeling incredibly anxious and honestly depressed right now because of work. I had already been feeling demotivated and wanting to leave but I was told on Monday that I was being out on probation for one year (I am not going into detail on this). And now my manager is pressing me about finding a new project role as I have been on the bench for more than a month, and one possible one may require travel. I just want to get out of my job now and hear back from the 10+ applications I have now.

like

Thankfully on a project and working remotely. I’ve been slowly losing grip with my depression and anxiety. Anyone else feel too scared to talk about it with their team?

like

In a new job and my manager saw through my impostor syndrome. He said it out loud that I need to work on my confidence and overcome my insecurity.
I constantly feel like I’m surrounded by people smarter than me and I doubt myself a lot. I’m scared everyone sees through my impostor syndrome and feel horrible about myself.

like

Any advice on how to request accommodations for depression and/or anxiety? What documents did you need and what kinds of accommodations did you ask for/receive?

like

Whenever I have to put slides together, I doubt myself a million times and it takes too long to make a single slide. I know I have Impostor Syndrome and depression, and the longer it takes to put a slide together, the harder it is to get it done. It’s like I have a phobia for doing the work, but it’s my job as a consultant 😔 I think I fear getting it wrong, but I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this and how they have coped? Thanks, in advance 🙏🏻

like

For anyone who needs to hear this today, I want you to know that you matter. You have touched someone’s life. The world is a better place because you are here. You may not see it or feel it today, but it please know that it is true.

Post Photo
likeupliftinghelpful

Looking for some mental health advice - I’ve been dealing with pretty debilitating anxiety/panic attacks for over 5 years. Finally started to get some help for it through medication, however the first 3 meds my PCP prescribed me (ssris) didn’t work. Because I haven’t deal with the anxiety it’s gotten really bad. Do I go to a pyscitatrist whose trained more in pharma or start with therapist. Have done therapy in past without much help.

like

This is super weird but I feel like I can’t relate easily to people. Hear me out - I moved and lived in different continents, countries every 5 years or so until now… I feel like I’m an outlier and my life is super different from anyone else’s. I have some friends I’ve met at each stage of my life, but it’s been temporary. I feel like I’m always going in a different direction than others. It makes it difficult to have a stable life and close friends..

like

SM on my project stepped away on paternity leave. SM was the one who led partner discussions and most of the client meetings. We're a week from a client deadline.

As a manager, I'm stepping but incredibly stress with the amount of moving parts. I don't have a strong rapport with the partner (Neither did the SM) to be open and transparent on how stressful I'm feeling without downgrading myself.

I'm sick to the stomach and very anxious, stressed at the suddenness of the thrust.

Help!

like

How do you motivate yourself to get out of bed when you’re having an anxiety attack and just want to curl up under the covers?

like

The inability to come to terms with my mortality is crippling sometimes, I just get paralyzed with anxiety and fear. Anyone else experience? Is this normal?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal