I was diagnosed with OCD when I was under camhs, I think I was around 17ish at the time. I disagreed with it from the start & always put it down to
slightly compulsive routines. having spoke to cmht, they also said it's OCD.
ever since I can remember, I've had "issues" with using public toilets, I'd go to the toilet before I went to school and not go all day until I'd got home from school because of not being able to wash my hands & it was
constantly running through my mind till the next time I could wash my hands that I'd catch something because of toilets other people had used, this had to be done 8 times, or there'd still be bacteria on my hands & therefore, I'd catch something from the toilets. this has been going on since year 9. (13/14?) I refuse to use the bathroom at home if anyone's been sick in it, apart from myself, even now.
I'm not gonna go into it because its not overly important, now. during my GCSE's in year 10 & 11, more things popped up, which was dealt with with CBT once I'd finally got referred to camhs.
I'm now 19 & the public toilet "issues" are starting to affect me, in the terms of getting out & things. I have health issues which require me to drink frequently & large amounts, if I don't drink a lot, it causes a massive increase as to how many times I need the toilet. its a no win situation. I get really panicky if I go out, because I know I need to drink, but I don't want to, to reduce the amount I need the toilet, which doesn't work out because I need the toilet more frequently if I'm slightly dehydrated.
if I have to pee anywhere other than home, it causes insane anxiety before and after. I
have to wash my hands 8 times afterwards, for my own sanity, it's not once after another, its usually 2-3 minutes between, my hands feel dirty & they
NEED washing there & then. alcohol gel is out of the question, as it seems to disagree with my asthma. I piss my friends off with washing my hands afterwards.
I'm not even sure what I'm rambling at now, but does anyone have any advice at all?
