Cleaning OCD
- Mitchell Howarth
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 7
Cleaning is often seen in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), particularly as part of contamination OCD where individuals experience intense fears of infection, leading to repetitive cleaning rituals to relieve distress. Unlike people who clean for general hygiene or tidiness, those with cleaning OCD feel compelled to clean excessively, often far beyond what is necessary.
Sequence of Cleaning OCD
There is a fairly common sequence that a person goes through with their OCD. Their are certain triggers, that activate a person's core fears and anxieties, which in turn leads to them performing compulsions to cope.
Triggers:
Touching surfaces perceived as dirty, such as countertops, floors, or bathrooms.
Seeing visible dust, dirt, or clutter in the environment.
Contact with bodily fluids, germs, or chemicals.
Media reports about illnesses, outbreaks, or toxins.
Situations involving pets, children, or outdoor items being brought into the home.
Core Fears:
Fear of death or illness caused by contamination, either for oneself or others.
Fear of being responsible for spreading illness or harm to others.
Fear of being a bad or careless person for failing to prevent contamination.
Compulsions / Safety Behaviours: Compulsions are actions people take to reduce anxiety or prevent perceived harm. These may include:
Repeated cleaning of household surfaces, sometimes multiple times per day.
Using strong cleaning products or disinfectants excessively (e.g. bleech).
Cleaning in a specific order or pattern until it feels "just right."
Avoiding certain areas or objects perceived as dirty.
Throwing away items that are perceived as contaminated.
While these behaviors temporarily relieve distress, they reinforce the fear and keep the OCD cycle going.
What Causes Cleaning OCD?
The causes of OCD are complex and can include:
Genetics: Studies show OCD tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.
Biology: Differences in brain structure and function, particularly in areas related to decision-making and fear responses, may contribute.
Environment: Stressful or traumatic experiences, such as illness or loss, can trigger or worsen symptoms.
Learned Behavior: Growing up with caregivers who emphasize cleanliness or order may reinforce compulsive habits.
How Do You Treat Cleaning OCD?
The gold standard treatment for cleaning OCD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), particularly a method called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
CBT helps individuals recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts, showing that fears of contamination are often exaggerated and unrealistic.
ERP gradually exposes individuals to feared situations, like leaving a surface untouched after contact with a perceived contaminant, while resisting compulsions. Over time, this helps reduce anxiety and builds tolerance for things not being perfectly clean.
For example:
An initial exposure task might involve wiping a surface with water instead of disinfectant.
Later tasks might involve delaying cleaning for an hour, then a day, and eventually eliminating unnecessary cleaning altogether.
Medication, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may also be prescribed in combination with therapy to reduce symptoms.
Summary
People with cleaning OCD often fear contamination and use repetitive cleaning rituals to reduce anxiety or prevent harm. However, these compulsions keep the cycle going, as complete cleanliness is impossible. Effective treatments like CBT and ERP can help individuals learn to tolerate uncertainty and discomfort, breaking free from OCD and regaining control over their lives.
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