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I feel everything in the world is dirty, what's wrong with me?

obsessive cleaning repetitive checking stranger aversion germ phobia work anxiety
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I feel everything in the world is dirty, what's wrong with me? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

I feel that everything in the world is dirty, so I have to check everything before leaving the house. Even after checking everything once, I still feel like I haven't checked anything, and I repeat it several times. The door is clearly locked, but I still feel like it's not locked, and I have to come back and check it again. Outside, I hate interacting with strangers or being touched by them, as I feel they are dirty. The places I am touched feel dirty, and I dare not touch them. I wash the touched areas thoroughly upon returning home. I keep my distance from places where others have sat or when they cough, fearing I might catch something. Now, it has even affected my work. I am afraid to work alone, worried that I might do something wrong or be talked about behind my back. Even though nothing happened, I can't stop imagining such scenarios. Can someone please tell me what's wrong with me?

Poppy Young Poppy Young A total of 3418 people have been helped

Hello, host! I'm July.

I understand your question, and I'm here to help. Let's work through this together.

From your description, it's clear that you're in a forced situation. You said you repeatedly check things before going out, even though you've done so many times. You still feel there's something wrong. You also feel the whole world is dirty. When you get home, you desperately try to wash away the dirt you encounter to relieve your anxiety.

Let's start with the basics: OCD is characterized by obsessive thoughts, compulsive urges, or compulsive behaviors.

Let me be clear: your obsessive thoughts can be understood in this way. Take the example of repeatedly checking to see if the door is locked before you leave the house. This clearly shows how your obsessive thoughts work. You think that if you don't lock the door, a thief will break in or something bad will happen. So you keep thinking this way, to the point where you keep checking to see if the door is locked.

You are compelled to repeatedly check whether the door is closed properly to reduce your anxiety through behavior.

You know the above-mentioned thoughts and behaviors are unnecessary and abnormal. You know you're acting against your own will, but you can't stop them. They make you feel deeply anxious and painful.

I have also summarized ways to help alleviate the situation. I am confident that these will help you.

(1) Relax, take things slowly, and don't put too much pressure on yourself. You're doing great, so don't make it harder on yourself.

(2) Talk about your thoughts and feelings with a close friend or family member. This will help you release your emotions rather than suppressing them.

(3) If conditions permit, seek professional psychological help, rather than resisting psychotherapy. People can get sick not only physically but also mentally. Don't be overly concerned about worldly thoughts. Use yourself as a starting point to help yourself.

(4) You can relieve your anxiety and tension through relaxation therapies like deep breathing and meditation.

(5) You can reduce your obsessive behavior through specific methods. Set rules to limit your obsessive thoughts and behaviors. For example, at first, you can only check the door lock three times, and then reduce the number of times after a certain period of time, so as to reduce the impact of obsessive thoughts on yourself.

(6) Give yourself positive self-suggestions instead of indulging in compulsive thoughts and behaviors.

The world and I love you.

Take care.

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Jeremiah Thompson Jeremiah Thompson A total of 9784 people have been helped

Hello! I just wanted to give you a big hug from afar.

I just wanted to say well done for being aware of your obsessive behavior. It's a great start to making some positive changes!

Your relationship with the outside world is a reflection of your connection with your inner self. It's understandable that you might feel a bit disconnected from the world around you, as your inner self might not be fully accepting of who you are.

Your compulsive repetitive behavior is really about trying to relieve the anxiety and unease caused by your inner self's lack of acceptance. It's totally normal to have this kind of inner critic! It's just that sometimes we're not very aware of this part of ourselves. So, we unconsciously fantasize about a perfect self to ease the frustration of not being good enough.

So, compulsive behavior is often driven by an inner self that is overly perfect. This inner self is like a harsh little instructor, constantly criticizing and rejecting the real self that is not good enough.

The good news is that you can change your compulsive behavior! All you have to do is learn to accept yourself, let go of the expectation of perfection, and allow yourself to be out of control. You'll see both the deficiencies and inadequacies in yourself, as well as the bright spots and advantages.

You might find it helpful to try relaxation training, desensitization therapy, or to cultivate some interests and hobbies for yourself and try doing some sports you like. Anything that can relax you is worth a try!

Hi, I'm Lily, the little ear of the Q&A Museum. I just wanted to say that the world and I love you!

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Comments

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Truman Thomas Be as good as your word and your word will be as good as gold.

I understand how troubling these feelings can be. It sounds like you might be dealing with obsessivecompulsive disorder, where intrusive thoughts lead to repetitive behaviors. Seeking help from a mental health professional could provide strategies to manage these feelings and improve your quality of life.

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Opal Jackson Diligence is the wind beneath the wings of aspiration.

It seems like you're experiencing a lot of anxiety and fear about contamination. This is affecting your daily routine and work. It's important to reach out for support; talking to a therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders might really benefit you in finding ways to cope.

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Cordelia Anderson Forgiveness is like the sun after a storm, warming and brightening our hearts.

Your description suggests that you may be suffering from OCD, characterized by persistent, unwanted thoughts and compulsions to do certain rituals. You don't have to go through this alone. Professional guidance can offer relief and tools to handle these compulsions more effectively.

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Cecilia Reed Learning is a compass that points to growth.

The way you describe your concerns about dirtiness and interactions with others points towards symptoms of OCD. This condition can be managed with the right treatment, including therapy and sometimes medication. Reaching out for professional help is a brave step towards feeling better and regaining control over your life.

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