Contamination OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ) is a subset manifestation of OCD characterised by persistent and distressing fears about contamination.
These fears may involve germs, dirt, chemicals, blood or even abstract contaminants like negative energy or moral impurity.
Individuals with this condition often feel compelled to engage in repetitive behaviours (compulsions) such as excessive cleaning, washing, or avoiding perceived sources of contamination to neutralise their anxiety.
Things you need to know about contamination OCD
In my experience, those experiencing contamination OCD fall into two groups:
Firstly, those individuals who were born naturally extroverted, creative and social who (for some reason) had that natural exuberance squashed out of them by dominant or anxious parents, leaving them prone to ‘living in their heads’ rather than expressing their creativity externally to travel, play music or just go off on adventures.
The second group consists of introverted individuals with complex personalities who are creative, possess great problem-solving skills, and have the ability to see the bigger picture in any situation—yet they fear taking control of those situations.
In addition, if either of these groups had childhood trauma that involved guilt, shame, blame or disgust – all of their inner turmoil may manifest as contamination OCD.
What is important for them to understand is their childish OCD is trying to keep them safe by making them stay at home through fear of ‘something’ out there ‘getting them’ via contamination – whilst at the same time the adult part of them just wants to get out there and get on with life! My course teaches how to deal with this fundamental issue.
Another important consideration with contamination OCD is the compulsion to keep washing or cleaning items. OCD can trick individuals into seeking a thought or feeling of being “clean enough.” Unless they achieve that sensation, they feel compelled to continue the cleaning process.
My course teaches that cleanliness and the efforts to avoid potential contamination are simply processes, not thoughts or feelings. For instance, surgeons scrub their hands for two to six minutes, depending on their hospital’s protocols, and this practice is unrelated to their thoughts or feelings during the process.
There is much you can do to overcome these fears and my five-part ERP video series in the course teaches you how to use Exposure and Response Prevention techniques to normalise those old fears so you can face life again.
Other names for contamination OCD
Contamination OCD is often referred to by different names or descriptions highlighting its key features. While these terms may not be official clinical diagnoses, they are commonly used in discussions about the condition. Here are some alternative names or descriptive terms:
- Germophobia – Focuses on the fear of germs and pathogens.
- Pathophobia – A term that highlights the fear of diseases, often linked to contamination fears.
- Fear of Contamination OCD – A straightforward description emphasising the core fear.
- Health-related OCD – A broader term that includes contamination fears as part of an overarching concern with health and illness.
- Cleanliness OCD – Emphasises compulsions related to excessive cleaning and washing.
- Contact Contamination OCD – Refers to fears of contamination through direct or indirect contact with people, objects, or substances.
- Mental Contamination OCD – Focuses on abstract or emotional contamination, such as feeling “dirty” from a negative thought or memory.
- Obsessive Cleaning Disorder – A term describing compulsive cleaning behaviours.
- Purity OCD – Highlights fears related to physical or moral purity.

Help for contamination OCD
Learn that OCD is the symptom and you not being your true self is the cause...