Thread: Constant washing of hands

I was wondering if anyone here has officially being diagnosed with OCD and constant washing of hands? When exactly does a person become OCD with washing of hands instead of just being clean? I have noticed lately that I have to always wash my hands after anything and everything I do. I mean everything. For some reason I keep on thinking I dont wash them often I will carry on some weird germ to my clothes, my books, my bed, my dorm, etc. Its really weird because I used to only wash my hands after using the bathroom and before/after eating but now I find myself having to wash my hands after everything. It has become so bad that my hands are really dry, my cuticles are flaky and no matter how much hand lotion I use they are not getting any better.

I am scared that I might have an Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, because I tend to wash my hands a lot! Even when I don't need it. It's like a need for perfection

I thought that people with OCD usually require perfection from other people than themselves.

There are times that I get mad at people that make mistakes, even if they make just little mistakes, but I don't think that it is a OCD synthom... Or is it? :S

My friend has OCD she is always washing her hands,yes it is a symptom.It is a very common condition,and can be both physical and mental.
Doing things in a certain manner or repetitively(compulsive)behavior.
It is an anxiety type disorder,causing intrusive thoughts as well.

It sounds like you may be borderline OCD, at least you can ackowledge the fact that you are washing your hands more then normal. Usually that is the sign that you may have an OCD- when you excessively do something that a 'normal' person wouldn't do. This is what I found about OCD's:

You have an OCD if:
1.You spend a lot of time thinking about (or avoiding) your obsessions and/or performing your compulsions. (In your case washing your hands.)
2.You feel quite anxious or nervous most of the time.
3.Your daily life is significantly affected by it. For example, your OCD might cause you to take hours to do a small task (e.g., writing a casual email), get in the way of spending time with your family and friends, or prevent you from meeting work deadlines or even getting out of the house.

I can't believe it, but I think I might have OCD. Is there a cure for this? Since it's psychological, maybe I can cure this on my own, without having to go to a psychologist

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Repetitive behaviors such as handwashing, counting, checking, or cleaning are often performed with the hope of preventing obsessive thoughts or making them go away. People with OCD may be plagued by persistent, unwelcome thoughts or images, or by the urgent need to engage in certain rituals. They may be obsessed with germs or dirt, and wash their hands over and over.

Is there a cure? There are ways to manage the obsession, after all OCD is an anxiety disorder. Medication and counseling are some of the ways it can be managed.

I have the same problem with washing my hands constantly. I sit here at the computer, but if I go get a drink, I will wash my hands before I pour the tea. Another major washing hands event is when I cook. I wash my hands before I cook, but if I grab a pan from the cabinet, I wash my hands again. If I cut up vegetables, I wash my hands. After doing every procedure or touching anything in-between, I wash my hands again. I also thought it was just being clean. My wife thinks its funny, because I will stop cooking or preparing the food until I wash my hands. I didn't think that was OCD. What does everyone else think.

I used to have some problems with this. For me is was house cleaning. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with keeping a clean house, but I would get all upset if it wasn't "perfectly" clean. Like I would sweep and mop the floor, and then sweep again, and then mop again, and then start crawling around with a dustpan trying to sweep up every hair left behind, and scrubbing at spots with a wet wipe. Then the wet wipe would make a dull spot in the shine of the floor, so I would mop again.

It took me years to stop doing it, but now I just clean like a normal person.