Health and Contamination OCD
Health concern/contamination OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by intrusive thoughts and fears about becoming sick or contaminated, or spreading contaminants or disease. Compulsions may be obvious to others, like repetitive hand washing, or invisible, like compulsive prayer.
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Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
A fear of feet (aka podophobia) may stem from trauma, genetics, or contamination OCD, but it can be treated with exposure and response prevention therapy.
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Most people don’t feel particularly excited about a hospital visit. What if I receive bad news from the doctor—about myself or a loved one?
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Between the Covid-19 pandemic and regular seasonal viruses, we’ve all received a lot of messaging about the importance of washing our hands. But, what
By Jill Webb
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
It’s not difficult to understand that while everyone needs to eat to survive, each individual’s relationship with food is quite different. We all have
By Jill Webb
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
“I’m terrified of black mold. How will I know if it’s spreading in my house and I just haven’t spotted it?” “What if I didn’t notice mold spores on the
By Jill Webb
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
It’s normal to experience a bit of an “ick” about less-than-clean environments, but people with mysophobia—aka germophobia, sometimes spelled
By Fjolla Arifi
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Picture this: You’re enjoying a nice brunch with friends, but you realize you need to excuse yourself for a moment—”nature calls.” It happens to everyone.
Reviewed by April Kilduff, MA, LCPC
Everyone has a bit of health anxiety from time to time—like when they’re riding a crowded bus and everyone around them is coughing. But if you regularly
By Jenna Demmer
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
There’s nothing like worrying about your health to keep you up at night. You feel an abdominal cramp and fear your appendix is bursting. You hear about a
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder categorized by excessive intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive — and
Reviewed by Dr. Keara Valentine
Fear of allergic reactions in OCD is characterized by unwanted and intrusive thoughts about the possibility of having an allergic reaction.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
In OCD, contamination fears can manifest around food and eating, making it difficult to differentiate from a diagnosable eating disorder.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
OCD fear of pulmonary embolism includes intrusive thoughts such as "What if I get a Pulmonary Embolism?" and/or images of suffering one.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
People with fear of magical thinking OCD think they have the power to prevent something bad from happening by performing a certain behaviors.
Fear of Ebola OCD involves fears that develop into obsessions about contracting or spreading the Ebola virus.
Reviewed by Patrick Carey
Panic Attack OCD involves intrusive, recurring, and distressing thoughts related to the fear of experiencing a panic attack.
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Do you think you might have Health and Contamination OCD?
Our therapists are trained to treat every OCD subtype.
Fear of diabetes can be a specific OCD theme for individuals suffering from health concerns related to developing diabetes.
By Rosa Pacheco Uscanga, LPC, NCC
Reviewed by Taylor Newendorp
Constant concerns or fears of getting cancer that are affecting your everyday life may be a sign that you have fear of cancer OCD.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Excessive fears and concerns about contracting or spreading COVID can be a sign of COVID related Contamination OCD.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD
Fear of having a stroke can be a presentation of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Health Subtype, where the sufferer’s compulsions are driven by a fear of the specific medical condition or symptoms of strokes.
Reviewed by Patrick McGrath, PhD