You’d think Metallica would finally drop an actual masterpiece after all this time. Let's be honest—the metal scene today is pretty lackluster. But even in a shallow market, true quality and real substance are timeless. Look at Iron Maiden—the greatest metal band of all time. After over 30 years of touring, they actually released their absolute best work this year: "a Matter of Life and Death." The sheer power, intensity, and raw emotion packed into this record? It honestly makes everyone else look incompetent, even people outside the genre. If you don't own this yet, go get it and listen until you lose your mind. As for Metallica... well, for them, this situation could easily become a matter of life and death. It’s getting harder for them to hold any respect from serious listeners who actually demand quality instead of just another redundant release in a long line of mediocre albums... I truly, deeply want them to just deliver an okay album for once...
OCD—what kind of mental switch flipped to make you cut back on the hand washing? My own hands are constantly red and peeling—it looks like I've been sunburned—all because I can't stop scrubbing. On top of regular soap, I’m even using antiseptic wipes. I finally started my Zoloft regimen properly, and honestly, I think I'm actually seeing some slight progress.
One of the patients who previously posted on this thread has resurfaced after a long absence. Based on their username, it’s pretty obvious their main struggle involves cleaning—specifically, washing their hands. If you haven't caught up yet, you can find the full breakdown of my issues on the previous pages. Honestly, what else is there to say? The situation hasn't changed. I saw myself in the remote control, the keyboard, the guitar... Andrew Stewart2—I read your post and I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry because it was almost identical to mine, with one exception. I never wash my hands after eating. There isn't some deep reason for it; it just doesn't matter to me, even if certain foods leave a scent behind. In my opinion, you should try to stop that immediately—it would be a solid starting point. Besides, there's really no need to use utensils for food you could easily eat with your hands. The update is that I finally saw a psychiatrist. I told him about my depression and anxiety, though I didn't bring up this specific compulsion. Fortunately, he prescribed something that targets both anxiety and OCD by affecting the serotonin in the brain. It's Zoloft, 50mg—mermaid mentioned it helped her quite a bit, so I'm hoping for similar results. It takes about seven days to kick in, and I've only just started. As for our lab technician... isn't it a bit excessive to worry about someone sitting in your chair? How are you supposed to sit down at work, on a bus, or in a cafe if you live like that? Diseases don't actually spread that easily. I have my own fears too, though they're relatively moderate—for instance, I might wear the same pair of pants for a week, even though I change my shirt every single day! To wrap this up, I truly wish everyone here a reduction in symptoms and relief from this burden. Unfortunately, there are many of us, and this is one of the few ways we can comment on our experiences and try to help one another. Best regards,
Madwoman said:look, sorry if I let you down, but I honestly think the book will offer more realistic—better, even—advice than stop washing your hands, purposefully mess up your room, or force yourself to walk on those lines, or whatever else I could pull out of a hat. maybe you'll be disappointed by the book because it might end up being written by people who think they "get" the disorder, when in reality they're just talking out of their asses to make a quick buck. oh well, at least you'll have one less thing on your list 🙂
I actually think those end-of-chapter questions might be specifically useful for you—you know, to finally figure out if you actually have OCD or not, since you're so dead-set against seeing a psychologist. why won't you just go see someone? I went because I can't stop crying; so why won't you just stop washing your hands😛
p.s. try finding someone with a library card to lend you the book so you don't waste money. wouldn't want it to look like I'm advertising Penguin Random House😳.
It doesn't look like you're advertising them. I'm a library member myself, though I have no idea if they even carry this specific title. It’s not like I’m strapped for cash, so I’ll just order it. Besides, if I were reading at the library, I'd probably be wearing gloves anyway😢 And if having one less thing on my list means that, then fine. Thanks I am considering seeing a psychiatrist or a psychologist, but I'm going to start with the book first. That way, even if it turns out to be a total disappointment, at least I'll have learned some theories and gained a bit of insight.
granitetiger25 said:Well, yeah—I find myself scrubbing my hands with soap and then hitting them with some antiseptic after touching shoes, too. By the way, if you use an antiseptic rinse after washing, it supposedly provides a layer of bacterial protection for about six hours. Give it a shot; maybe you won’t feel quite so filthy afterward. You can pick some up at any local CVS or Walgreens. Just look for the hand sanitizer meant for post-wash use.
I've used some Lysol products for a while now, and I know they work as decent disinfectants. But the whole "six-hour protection" thing? Honestly, I had no idea.
Madwoman, it seems there are plenty of us out there losing our minds. Honestly, it’s a bit of a relief to read this and realize I’m not the only one. I was actually holding my breath waiting for your "real advice," only to find you recommending a book about intrusive thoughts and compulsions. Just a quick reminder—I don't have any other OCD symptoms (you know, those repetitive, driving thoughts and actions) aside from the constant need to wash my hands over every little thing. I'll go ahead and order the book, though I have no idea how much it’ll actually help me. Regardless, I want to thank you; at least this feels like moving in the right direction. kiss
Rachel Sanders said:Basically, I’m not even sure if there’s an actual name for what I’m going through, but I’m here hoping someone can tell me!🙂 Aside from being absolutely obsessed with cleanliness and order, I literally cannot fall asleep unless everything in my room is perfectly aligned and sorted. Everything in my space has to be parallel to the shadows cast by my lamps—it sounds pathological, but if my blinds aren't pulled down perfectly straight across the whole apartment, I'm done. My remote controls have to be dead center on the coffee table (I’ve actually gone as far as measuring the table and marking the spot just to ensure it's exact), my keys have to be lined up horizontally, and my shoes need to be arranged in a perfect row, or I simply won't sleep! And there's one more thing—sometimes a specific thought or phrase just pops into my head, and in that exact moment, I feel this overwhelming urge to say it out loud. I try to tell myself, "Don't, you aren't crazy," but then I snap and think, "Well, there has to be a reason I felt the need to say it, so I *have* to say it!" It happens multiple times a day. Also, I am obsessed with the number three; it's a number that completely fascinates me. Naturally, when that impulse hits me to speak, I have to repeat it three times. If I happen to mess up and repeat it more than that, I have to keep going until I hit nine (since three goes into nine exactly THREE times), and at that point, I just can't control it anymore! Does anyone have any comforting advice or even just a comment? Because I honestly can't help myself!
In a situation like this, looking at things realistically helps quite a bit. I’ve dealt with various OCD symptoms myself (for instance, I had to run the faucet several times before filling a glass, or flip the light switch on and off repeatedly...). I was always driven by this nagging feeling that something terrible would happen to me or someone I love if I didn't do those things exactly right. Eventually, I did some digging online and realized it was OCD; I understood that plenty of people deal with this, and more importantly, that nothing bad actually happens if I stop. The only lingering issue is excessive handwashing, because I always feel like they aren't clean enough. Is this purely psychological (OCD), or does it have anything to do with epidemiology? I have no clue; I just know it's been exhausting me for years. Any practical advice would be greatly appreciated.
Let me clarify my situation a bit. I previously shared some details under the "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder" thread, but over here in the "Health" section, I just wanted to touch on a few things regarding hand sanitizers—specifically stuff like Purell or Lysol. So, for several years now, I’ve been struggling with excessive and prolonged handwashing. To give you an idea of how intense this gets: I wake up, go to the bathroom, and wash my hands. I make my bed, then wash my hands. I get dressed, then wash my hands. After brushing my hair, shaving, and getting fully ready, I end up washing my hands with two different soaps because I can't shake this feeling that my shoes are incredibly filthy. The evening routine is just as rigid. I take off my shirt—and since I rarely wear the same one twice, I wash my hands immediately after. Then I take off my shoes and pants, followed by another round of washing with two soaps 😢. If I touch anything else around the house before heading to bed, I’m back at the sink again. Each session lasts at least a full minute, even though I know the standard recommendation is 30 to 45 seconds (or up to three minutes if you're using two soaps). As much as this is a psychological struggle, I honestly think it’s becoming an epidemiological issue too. Aside from this compulsion, I’m a functioning person—I manage to keep this under wraps quite well, I have a solid career, and I'm surrounded by good people—but this is genuinely disrupting my daily life. Any advice or suggestions? Please, keep it realistic; I'd appreciate it.
*Spike Lee said:The ultimate remedy is to intentionally scatter everything all over your room and then attempt to sleep 😉 And don't you dare touch a single thing—just go to bed in the middle of the mess 😉 Prof. Psych Spike 😉
Since my actual issue is washing my hands way too often, are you suggesting I just stop washing them entirely to be cured???
Melissa Clark46 said:I wash my hands both before and after using the restroom—and I even scrub up immediately when I get back home, even if I just stepped out to the corner store I absolutely loathe those public door handles you have to touch with your bare hands; I usually try to use my elbow instead. Since my job involves handling cash all day, that’s another big reason why I’m constantly washing my hands.
Hmm, it feels like I'm doing this more often lately—and with much more intensity. I wet them, soap them up, scrub, rinse... then I do the whole damn thing over again. Then I'll grab a paper towel or a wipe, use that exact same wipe to open the door, walk outside, and then stare at it wondering where on earth I can find a trash can to toss it in.
And of course, I won't touch that first sheet of paper sticking out of the dispenser because God knows who was using it right before me—same goes for the toilet paper.
Dora Keay said:They really ought to see a doctor as soon as possible (specifically a psychiatrist) who can evaluate their symptoms and prescribe the right treatment. Phobias are actually quite treatable through psychotherapy—think cognitive-behavioral therapy paired with relaxation techniques—though sometimes medication like anxiolytics might be necessary.
But what exactly does "cognitive-behavioral therapy" entail? And which specific relaxation techniques or medications are we even talking about here?
gentlepanther10 said:Oh, please—that doesn't bother me at all. I don't even give it a second thought...
As if that's the only issue! I actually know a guy who obsessively washes his hands both before and after using the restroom.
Look, it’s not always easy to get to a sink right before or after using the bathroom. When I can, obviously, I wash my hands thoroughly both ways. But when I'm stuck without access? I just use alcohol-based wipes—like Kleenex wipes.
It’s been quite a while since this thread was first started, but I’m checking back in because the issue of excessive hand washing is still a massive problem. Does anyone have any updated thoughts on Betadine or Aseptisole?
This isn't an ad, just a question. I've been washing my hands way too often lately—it's becoming a bit of an obsession—so I was thinking about switching things up with something other than the standard soap I'm already tired of using. How effective are these antiseptic wipes, really?
Sarah Ortiz6 said:Regarding your situation, I couldn't agree more... it's just a shame that this whole "just snap out of it" approach doesn't actually work for most people.
I completely blanked on asking—what actually constitutes behavioral therapy? If anyone here has gone through it, I’d really appreciate it if you could walk me through the details.