Disgust Related Contamination in OCD

Some people with OCD experience a type of contamination concern that’s more about disgust than fear of getting sick. In these cases, the worry isn’t, “What if I get seriously ill from this?” but rather, “What if I never feel clean or okay again because this feels so disgusting?”

The main struggle is with the intense and uncomfortable feeling of disgust itself. To try to get rid of that feeling, individuals often perform compulsions—like excessive washing, avoiding certain places or objects, or needing things to feel “just right.” These actions aren’t meant to prevent harm, but to avoid or relieve the emotional discomfort caused by disgust.

The treatment for disgust will focus on helping individuals acknowlege and accept the feelings that the emotion of disgust causes.

It’s important to know that feeling disgusted sometimes is normal. But for those with OCD, the response is often much stronger and harder to manage.