What is emotional contamination OCD? Signs to know

This type of OCD is categorised by the fear of getting contaminated after coming in contact with a person or an object or a place.

Published on: Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM IST

Lifestyle

Share via

• 
• 
• 
• 

Copy link

• 

1/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known as OCD, is a disorder in which people have recurring behavioural patterns, obsessive thoughts and the urge to perform repetitions. Emotional contamination OCD refers to a sub-type of OCD where a person feels that coming in contact with a certain place or object or person will make them contaminated. Therapist Maythal Eshaghian noted down a few signs of Emotional Contamination OCD. (Unsplash)

2/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM

In this disorder, the person often starts to engage in ritualistic behavioural patterns as a way of cleansing them after feeling contaminated.  (Unsplash)

3/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM

The sufferers also believe that certain thoughts and actions can lead to possible harm for themselves as well as others.  (Unsplash)

4/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM

They believe that coming in contact with others can make them derive the negative traits of personalities from them.  (Unsplash)

5/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM

They also try to stay away from certain geographical locations, such as cemeteries, as they believe that they will get contaminated.  (Unsplash)

6/6

View Photos in a new improved layout

Published on Feb 05, 2024 4:24 PM

In this type of OCD, Exposure and Response prevention (ERP) teaches them to disengage from their thoughts and confront and challenge their fears.  (Unsplash)