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Could this be OCD?

7 replies

OverdressedtobeDepressed · 25/01/2026 21:21

Inspired by someone else’s thread:

my family joke that I’m a germaphobe but I feel like I’m not, because I’m not constantly sanitising, washing my hands more than I need to ect. I’m not a clean freak either, mess gets left, dishes get left out sometimes ect.

However, I can’t stand reusing things like tea towels, bath towels, washing up sponges/rags.
it seems like such a waste since I know people use them more than a day or two.. but I have this thought that I’ve washed my hands, dried them, so have DH, DC maybe.. the tea towel gets damp and essentially left damp hanging on the hook or the oven handle.. just marinating in hand wash water.. so then it feels dirty after a day of using it.

washing up sponges, I can’t use one more than a day because using a cold wet sponge with some of its scouring side all scraped and used makes me feel ill. Microfibre type dish clothes the same, I hang it on the sink to ‘dry’ but it’s not dry the next day so just feels like it’s been marinating in stagnant water.. so in the wash it goes. My mum and my sister think I’m mental. I don’t use bath towels more than once before washing. It just feels unclean to me and I know it isn’t but I can’t shake the feeling.

unrelated to the above: I also get very irritated and snappy if plans change, if my idea of how our day is going to go.. doesn’t go that way. If I’m late for something I had plenty of time for, doesn’t happen often but when it does I feel terrible and flustered all day.

I absolutely cannot stand ‘sticky’ feelings on my body, not tacky like recently applied moisturiser/sun cream.. but like honey, jam type of sticky.. it makes me feel a genuine rage, like angry.. for no reason other than I hate the feeling of it.

could that be OCD or am I just an intolerant cow?

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 25/01/2026 21:54

Only a medical professional can diagnose you but it's certainly irrational behaviour – one day old scourers don't look any different from brand new scourers and towels or clothes aren't marinating in water just by being used.

Can you remember when this started and if there was any particular trigger? Finding the source is the best way of reserving this way of thinking.

tripleginandtonic · 25/01/2026 21:57

Doesn't sound like OCD but as others say you need to talk to a medical professional.

BooksandCats123 · 25/01/2026 22:02

I do the same with washing up sponges and tea towels but I’ll reuse the same bath towel.
Does it bother you/stress you out enough that it impacting your mental health?
I know it’s not great for the environment but if it’s not a problem and more just how you like to do things does it matter?

PixellatedPixie · 25/01/2026 22:09

A huge factor is how much these things bother you and interfere with your daily life. I was diagnosed with OCD about 20 years ago and mine was extremely distressing and disabling in many ways. If it just means you have a few quirks and spend a bit more on sponges then I wouldn’t worry. You do sound very hard on yourself. I honestly think a bit of CBT would work wonders so you become more aware of your internal voice and are kinder to yourself?

Everyone has their own unique traits. One option for treatment, if you did need it, is to take SSRIs which are highly effective for most people.

tellmesomethingtrue · 25/01/2026 22:18

It’s obsessional and repetitive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. It’s not just wanting things clean. It’s a very upsetting and challenging disorder.

SuzieYellow · 25/01/2026 22:23

OCD is obsessive thoughts that create compulsive behaviours. Ie. Absolutely believing something awful will happen “if you don’t check every plug socket in the house before leaving” it’s debilitating, it depends if you have obsessive thoughts with this behaviour.
either way, stress needs dealing with and you rightfully sound like it’s difficult for you and I hope you find a way to feel better

ADHDFocusedLife · 26/01/2026 01:41

What you’re describing really does sound like OCD-type traits, especially around contamination and sensory discomfort.
Most importantly this isn’t your fault, and support can genuinely help.

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