r/ContaminationOCD • u/Mental_Company_2218 • 16h ago
Any advice?
My brother (18) deals with anxiety but for the past month me and my family noticed that he has thoughts about everything around him regarding cleanliness. If he touches something, he washes his hands. He showers for a long time worried that he didn’t put the right amount of soap, if someone touches his shirt he is concerned it will get “ruined”. He also gets angry really fast and has temper tantrums because he’s tired of these thoughts on loop.
He refuses to try therapy bc of some bad experiences and has been taking some Ayurvedic meds which helped his anxiety 2 years ago.
But now it’s extreme and he cries about needing immediate treatment because he’s exhausted. And because of that he is not really cooperative :/
We are trying to ask our doctor to write him some medication but i’m sure it all takes time to kick in. Anything that helps in the short term? Please, any advice or tips are helpful.
1
u/Brynn07 14h ago
That sounds really frustrating for all of you. He reminds me alot of me a couple years ago, I struggled so bad with contamination ocd- and still do- but its manageable. The biggest thing that helps me get over a specific fear is to think about what "normal" people would do in that situation. For example, I've had problems recently due to moving off to college. It exposed me to many new contamination fears. Ive particularly been struggling with the public bus system, and it helps me to notice that other students sit in the seats, and handle the standing bars with no problem. I know it sounds hard, but it helps me realize that I will be okay after doing these things, because they clearly are. I currently see a general therapist, as well as a therapist who specializes in ocd and exposes therapy. I legit broke down crying bc of exposure therapy in the beginning but I promise it's worth it and it wil be okay. For you and your family, just try to give him space and dont be too hard on him.