Check out Helen Recovery Journey with Contamination OCD:
My battle with OCD manifests itself around fear of contamination where I would constantly be avoiding situations that I would possibly pick up a disease such as HIV.
I would be frightened of touching pedestrian crossing buttons or door handles etc.
I was even scared of stepping in something red on the ground and in thinking it was blood, that it would splash up and maybe get into a cut that I had on my leg.
This caused me enormous distress and would even force me to carry out compulsions such as hand washing and even getting HIV tests in order to ease my anxiety but each time the anxiety was eased, in time it would come back again just as strong.
I knew I had to do something in order to stop this crippling anxiety but I didn’t know what.
I’d attended doctors and they had prescribed me anti-depressants but I hadn’t found they gave me much relief at all.
Then one day I happened to be listening to the radio and I heard a man called Colm talking about his history with OCD. I instantly related to him and when he went on to talk about a form of breathing techniques which is specifically targeted in helping to stop OCD.
Linda went on to say that she was starting up a 12 week program. I immediately knew I had to try it.
I was nervous starting out as OCD had made me lose a lot of my confidence and I thought it would be difficult to socialize with people on the program but Linda totally put me at my ease.
I’ve just finished the program and I feel a lot better. I’m not worrying so much about contamination so much and feel in a much better place.
The breathing exercises are actually very relaxing and allow me to take time out for myself from my busy family life.
During the course, Linda also advises us on our lifestyles such as sleep, diet and alcohol consumption and how it can all affect OCD.
I found this to be very useful.
I would highly recommend anyone who is struggling with OCD to consider going on the program as it certainly has given me back a lot of my life and has allowed me to enjoy it more fully!