Contamination OCD: Why Facing Fears Aggressively Matters

Contamination OCD involves an intense fear of germs, dirt, or other contaminants, leading to compulsive behaviors aimed at reducing this fear.

The importance of being aggressive in facing your fears

One of the most critical elements that differentiate significant improvement from marginal recovery in exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy is the aggressiveness with which someone tackles their fears. Research supports that those who choose to face stressful situations head-on experience significantly different outcomes compared to those who do not.

Understanding the aggressive approach

Imagine two people thrown into the same stressful situation: one is forced into it, and the other actively chooses to enter. Their bodies respond differently. Anyone who trains in martial arts will tell you that the experience of being an aggressor is vastly different from being on the defensive. The same principle applies to ERP. You need to attack your fears actively and aggressively by placing yourself in feared situations on purpose.

Practical steps in aggressive ERP

For contamination OCD, attacking your fears involves deliberately touching objects you consider contaminated and spreading the contamination over your body. Recently, I worked with someone who had contamination OCD. We went to public places like malls and outdoor areas, touched various “contaminated” items, and then refrained from engaging in any compulsions.

Eliminating safe spaces

Another crucial aspect of this approach is to eliminate any “safe zones.” These are spaces where you typically find relief from your anxiety. We made it a point to contaminate this person’s bed, couch, and other living areas to ensure no place was safe from contamination. This full immersion helps in the habituation process, which is essential for overcoming the anxiety related to contamination OCD.

The empowerment of facing your fears

Attacking your fears is empowering. When you choose to face your fears and make the situation even harder voluntarily, you gain a sense of control and strength. I’ve seen clients transform from being unable to enter my office to fearlessly touching handrails in gas station bathrooms.

Achieving habituation

The goal of ERP is to achieve habituation — a point where your body and mind recognize that the feared item or situation is not dangerous. Over time, abstaining from compulsions leads to this realization, making your anxiety and OCD more manageable.

The key takeaway

Adopt an aggressive stance in your ERP. Removing compulsions is just not enough; you must become the attacker in your fight against OCD and anxiety. This method often marks the turning point for many in their recovery journey.