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TW: chemicals

User Profile: Ronah187
Ronah187 July 18th, 2020

Hi, so my OCD is very much triggered by chemicals. Yesterday my friend was helping me change a light bulb and broke it. It was a CFL which contained mercury. Of course this set my anxiety into full force. I threw away everything in the room that was cloth. I also threw away our toothbrushes that were pretty expensive even though when I called poison control the guy said i could just wash them. Im still afraid for anyone to use that bathroom. I feel like everything is contaminated. I don't usually use cfls for this very reason but my mother recently bought a big box of them and went around replacing bulbs in my house to "do me a favor" and I thought it'd be ok 😑. I hate that I can't be more nonchalant about these things. Everyone I have asked about it is assuring me it's no big deal and I've never heard of anyone dying or being hospitalized over a broken bulb. In fact it sounds pretty ridiculous honestly. I don't even know what this phobia would be called but I generally avoid all chemicals. They make me incredibly anxious. No bug spray, natural cleaning sprays). It's just how I have coped since I was a kid. Just had to share. Hopefully someone can identify. I feel like I'm the only person with this fear.

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User Profile: LittleBirdie30
LittleBirdie30 July 18th, 2020

@Ronah187 Hi! Thanks for sharing! :) I understand your phobia. I struggle with OCD too, and while it may not be the exact same phobia, I don't like bleach or other cleaning products. I have to use them at work sometimes so coming home and trying not to freak out is really hard. I understand and I relate with you. Hang in there! You got this!