Does feeling dirty or contaminated stay with you long after you've washed?
Lots of people like things clean. When worry about germs, dirt or chemicals leads to washing, cleaning or avoiding that eats into your day, it might be contamination OCD. This free check helps you see how much it's affecting you, and what could help.
Does any of this sound like you?
- You wash your hands until they're sore, or follow a set routine
- You change your clothes or shower as soon as you get home
- You keep "clean" and "dirty" areas at home, or avoid things others have touched
Liking things clean, or contamination OCD?
Contamination OCD is when the feeling of being dirty or of spreading germs brings strong anxiety, and washing, cleaning or avoiding things takes up a lot of your day. The relief from washing never lasts long.
If you're afraid of germs without washing routines, Rephobia's fear of germs check may fit better. ERP helps many people with contamination OCD, often practised at home with a therapist on video.
What you'll be asked
What do you do to feel better?
- Wash or shower
- Clean things
- Avoid touching things
- Ask someone if it's clean
- Change my clothes
- Keep some areas clean
How hard is each of these without washing or cleaning afterwards?
- Touching a door handle
- Handling cash
- Shaking someone's hand
- Sitting on a bus or train seat
- Eating food someone else made
- Sitting on the sofa in outdoor clothes
- Using a public toilet
- Touching the bin
- Visiting someone in hospital
Six quick questions about the last month
- How much does this affect your day-to-day life?
- How much do you avoid places, plans or situations because of it?
- How much does it affect your work, studies or caring for others?
- How much does it affect your social life, relationships or family?
- How much of your day do the thoughts and rituals take up?
- How much distress do you feel when you think about touching something without washing afterwards?
What you get at the end
Your result and what it means for everyday life, plus a starting ladder built from your own answers: the steps, easiest first, a therapist would use to help you. It's saved to a free ReOCD account, so you can come back, retake the check and see what changes.
Common questions
- Is this a diagnosis?
- No. It is a free self-check to help you understand how much this affects your life. Only a qualified professional can assess you properly.
- Why do you ask for my email?
- Your results are saved to a free account, so you can come back to them, retake the check and see what has changed. You confirm your email with a code, then choose a password.
- Who can see my answers?
- You can. ReOCD keeps them to show you your results. Nothing is shared with a therapist unless you choose to send a request, and nothing is sold or used for advertising.