Category: Hand Washing

Does This Look Like a Needle to You?

OCD Center of Los Angeles | Posted on January 26, 2025 |

Tyler Tran, MSW, ACSW, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles shares his personal experience navigating contamination OCD, the weight of cultural shame and stigma, and acceptance in a community where mental health is typically misunderstood.

What Is Contamination OCD? There’s More to It Than Meets the Eye…

OCD Center of Los Angeles | Posted on July 21, 2024 |

Mikayla Rodin, MA, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses a subtype of OCD called Contamination OCD, as well as sharing what the symptoms and treatment may look like for someone experiencing this condition.

Recent Articles

Does This Look Like a Needle to You?
Tyler Tran, MSW, ACSW, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles shares his personal experience navigating contamination OCD, the weight of cultural shame and stigma, and acceptance in a community where mental health is typically misunderstood. […]
2 Comments
Meet Our Social Media Manager Natalie Najera!
Natalie Najera, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team as our Social Media Manager, as well as her own personal experience and recovery from OCD. […]
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Seeking a Spiritual Escape: Spiritual Bypass and Scrupulosity OCD
Brandi Roberts, MS, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, shares her personal experience and recovery from religious scrupulosity OCD and spiritual bypassing, as well as discusses the dynamics and treatment of this common OCD subtype. […]
4 Comments
What Is Contamination OCD? There’s More to It Than Meets the Eye…
Mikayla Rodin, MA, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses a subtype of OCD called Contamination OCD, as well as sharing what the symptoms and treatment may look like for someone experiencing this condition. […]
1 Comment
Navigating Postpartum OCD: Making Space for Scary Thoughts
Erica Russell, LMFT, LPCC, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses the symptoms and treatment of Postpartum OCD and reflects on her own personal experience with the postpartum anxiety journey as she returns from maternity leave. […]
4 Comments
Connecting Vasovagal Syncope to Anxiety Reactions
Mikayla Rodin, MA, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses the connection between VasoVagal Syncope and Anxiety, as well as sharing what the symptoms and treatment may look like for someone with this condition. […]
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OCD: The Invisible Disorder
Daniel Safavi, MA, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses the sometimes sensitive and extremely powerful use of disclosure of one's OCD, as well as some helpful guidelines when determining to self-disclose. […]
6 Comments
Relationship OCD: Accepting the Unknown in Relationships
Brandi Roberts MS, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, shares her personal experience and recovery from relationship OCD (ROCD), as well as discusses the dynamics and treatment of this very common OCD subtype. […]
13 Comments
Go Big or Go Home: The Difference Between OCD and GAD (and My Experience with Both)
Kristen Taylor-Ladd, MA, AMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses the differences between, and often co-occurring, afflictions of OCD and GAD, as well as shares her personal experience with and way to recovery from both of these conditions. […]
8 Comments
Exposure and Response Prevention: Is It Effective Via Telehealth?
Chanel Taghdis, LMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses the efficacy of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD and related conditions when conducted via teletherapy. […]
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Mindfulness-Based Response Prevention for OCD and Anxiety
Chris Cincotta, LMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses how to implement an effective mindfulness-based response prevention approach for the treatment of OCD and anxiety, and how to prevent mindfulness from becoming just another compulsion. […]
14 Comments
2021 Online OCD Conference
Kelley Franke, Lauren McMeikan Rosen, Elena Fasan, and Mary Sponaugle of the OCD Center of Los Angeles will be giving three presentations at the Online OCD Conference being held October 8-10, 2021. […]
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Trichotillomania: My Journey to Treatment and Recovery
Trichotillomania is a condition in which sufferers repeatedly pull out their hair. Chanel Taghdis, MA, LMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses her personal experience with, and recovery from, Trichotillomania, and how she treats clients struggling with this condition. […]
22 Comments
How Learning to Live with COVID-19 Can Help Kids Manage OCD
Parents can teach kids skills to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic that have the added benefit of helping them cope more effectively with OCD. […]
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When OCD Comes Between Us: Relationship OCD and Recovery
Laura Yocum, Lauren McMeikan, and Kelley Franke of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discuss Relationship OCD (ROCD) at the Online OCD Conference on August 2, 2020. […]
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Q&A: Online Therapy for OCD, Anxiety and Related Conditions
An interview with Tom Corboy, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, about the use of online therapy for the treatment of OCD and related conditions. […]
12 Comments
Making Peace with Uncertainty: Living in the Midst of a Pandemic
When it comes to uncertainty and anxiety related to COVID-19, most of us don’t want to feel it. But resistance just makes things worse. […]
23 Comments
My Journey to Becoming an OCD Specialist
Debra Dalton Stein, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles describes her journey as a psychotherapist from working primarily with eating disorders, to becoming an OCD specialist. […]
10 Comments
OCD vs. GAD and How to Tell the Difference
OCD is often misdiagnosed as Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The OCD Center of L.A. reviews diagnostic & treatment differences between these conditions. […]
28 Comments
Pure O 101
People with Pure Obsessional OCD ("Pure O") often feel overwhelmed by intrusive, distressing thoughts. Tom Corboy, MFT of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses Pure O and its many permutations. […]
86 Comments
Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder, aka Dermatillomania
Excoriation (Skin Picking) Disorder is an obsessive-compulsive spectrum condition in which sufferers repeatedly pick at their skin. Crystal Quater, MMFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses her personal experience with, and recovery from, Excoriation Disorder, and how she treats clients struggling with this condition. […]
78 Comments
OCD is Fake News
OCD obsessions are just fake news that your brain makes up. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Helping clients in California and around the world since 1999. […]
65 Comments
HOCD: 30 Things You Need To Know
HOCD is a type of OCD in which the individual obsesses about their sexual orientation. Here are 30 things you should know about HOCD. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
516 Comments
Doubt, Denial and OCD
A discussion of "The Denial Obsession" in OCD, in which sufferers obsess that they don't really have OCD, but are merely "in denial". By Lauren McMeikan, MA, and Tom Corboy, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
166 Comments
Dermatillomania: A Skin Picker’s Guide to the Dermatologist
How one woman with Dermatillomania finally opened up to her dermatologist about her longtime struggle with skin picking. […]
44 Comments
Imaginal Exposure for OCD and Anxiety
Imaginal exposure for the treatment of OCD and anxiety is discussed by Tom Corboy, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
234 Comments
ROCD: Relationship OCD and The Myth of “The One”
ROCD (Relationship OCD) is an often misunderstood variant of OCD. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
696 Comments
Moral Scrupulosity in OCD: Cognitive Distortions
A review of cognitive distortions seen in Moral Scrupulosity OCD, and a discussion of how to effectively challenge them. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
68 Comments
OCD in the Family
One mom's story of her son's battle with OCD and its profound impact on their family, as told to Elizabeth Kassel, MSW, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
5 Comments
Scrupulosity in OCD: Cognitive Distortions
A discussion of cognitive distortions in the religious Scrupulosity subtype of OCD. Part two of a multi-part series. […]
40 Comments
OCD and Eating Disorders
Diagnostic similarities and differences between OCD and eating disorders are discussed by Kimberley Quinlan, MFT, Clinical Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
6 Comments
Harm OCD Treatment With ERP
Harm OCD treatment using Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) is discussed by Tom Corboy, MFT, Executive Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles . […]
186 Comments
My Life with OCD
The impact of OCD and related anxiety based disorders on the family is often overlooked. In this multi-part series, we present first-hand accounts of the ongoing impact of OCD, BDD, and Bipolar Disorder on one man and his family, as told to Elizabeth Kassel, MSW, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
18 Comments
Scrupulosity: Where OCD Meets Religion, Faith, and Belief
The Scrupulosity sub-type of OCD is discussed by Kevin Foss, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Part one of a four part series. […]
222 Comments
Mindfulness for OCD and Anxiety
Using mindfulness to enhance traditional CBT for OCD and anxiety is discussed by Kimberley Quinlan, MFT, Clinical Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
21 Comments
Hoarding, Cluttering, and Compulsive Shopping: My Childhood Story
One woman's story of her life as the child of multiple generations of hoarders. […]
12 Comments
OCD and Thought-Action Fusion
Thought-Action Fusion is a frequent problem for those with OCD. This issue is discussed by Laura Yocum, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
27 Comments
OCD, Anxiety, and Resistance
Resistance and acceptance in OCD and related disorders is discussed by the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
21 Comments
Harm OCD Treatment: Cognitive Restructuring
Harm OCD is often misunderstood, but it can be effectively treated using an integrated treatment plan that includes Cognitive Restructuring. Part three of our ongoing series that explores "Harm OCD" and its treatment . […]
102 Comments
OCD & Anxiety: Five Common Roadblocks to Treatment
Learn the five common mistakes that interfere with successful treatment of OCD and anxiety. By Kimberley Quinlan, MFT, Clinical Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
26 Comments
Harm OCD Treatment: Mindfulness Based CBT
Harm OCD is an often misunderstood condition that can be effectively treated using Mindfulness integrated with CBT. Part two of a multi-part series from the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
100 Comments
Dermatillomania / Skin Picking Disorder Treatment
Treatment of Dermatillomania (Skin Picking Disorder) with CBT. Part two of a series from the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
164 Comments
Harm OCD: Symptoms and Treatment
This is the first installment in a series of articles in which The OCD Center of Los Angeles demystifies both the symptoms and the treatment of Harm OCD. […]
461 Comments
Orthorexia: Where Eating Disorders Meet OCD – Part 2
Kimberley Quinlan, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness for the treatment of Orthorexia. Part two of a two-part series. […]
18 Comments
Casey Anthony, Reasonable Doubt, and OCD
Harm OCD and 'reasonable doubt' are discussed in relation to the Casey Anthony murder trial. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles.unbearable. […]
10 Comments
The ABC’s of Dermatillomania / Skin Picking Disorder
Symptoms and treatment of Skin Picking Disorder, also known as Dermatillomania. From The OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
208 Comments
HOCD / Gay OCD: Challenges to Treatment
Common challenges seen in the treatment of HOCD / Gay OCD are discussed by the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Part four of a four-part series. […]
441 Comments
Orthorexia: Where Eating Disorders Meet OCD
Orthorexia is an eating disorder in which people obsess about eating only "pure" and "healthy" foods. By Kimberley Quinlan, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
12 Comments
Thought Suppression and OCD
Thought suppression is a common feature of OCD, especially for those with Pure Obsessional OCD (sometimes called "Pure O"). […]
23 Comments
HOCD / Gay OCD: Common Subtypes
Common subtypes of HOCD / Gay OCD are discussed. Part three of a four part series. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
413 Comments
Social Anxiety / Social Phobia: Alone With Witnesses – Part 2
Treatment of Social Anxiety is discussed, along with its relationship with other OC spectrum disorders. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
10 Comments
Social Anxiety / Social Phobia: Alone With Witnesses – Part 1
Many people mistakenly think of Social Anxiety as nothing more than shyness. In this two-part series, the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses Social Anxiety and its treatment with CBT. […]
9 Comments
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) Research – Year in Review
Tom Corboy, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles reviews research studies published in 2010 related to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). […]
4 Comments
Binge Eating Disorder / Compulsive Overeating and Its Treatment
Binge Eating Disorder, also known as ‘”compulsive overeating”, can perhaps best be described as a condition in which one periodically consumes extremely large amounts of food. Kimberley Quinlan, MFT, Clinical Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses Binge Eating Disorder and its treatment with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). […]
7 Comments
Gay OCD / HOCD Treatment
Treatment of Gay OCD / HOCD / Sexual Orientation OCD using CBT and Mindfulness is discussed by the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
196 Comments
Gay OCD / HOCD / Sexual Orientation OCD
Symptoms & treatment of Gay OCD, also known as HOCD, or Sexual Orientation OCD. From The OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
752 Comments
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Teens
Increasing numbers of teens are having elective cosmetic surgeries to address body image issues, without fully considering the physical and psychological risks involved. […]
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Body Image in the News
A discussion of BDD and recent news reports about the condition. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Serving clients in California and internationally. […]
1 Comment
Treatment of OCD and OC Spectrum Disorders in Children
The OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for the treatment of OCD and anxiety in children and adolescents. […]
No Comments
Trichotillomania, Skin Picking Disorder, and the Resistor’s High
The OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses treatment of Trichotillomania (Hair Pulling Disorder) and Dermatillomania (Skin Picking Disorder). […]
8 Comments
Memory Hoarding in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Many people with OCD engage in 'memory hoarding', a mental compulsion to over-attend to the details of an event, person, or object. Memory hoarding is done with the belief that the event, person, or object carries a special significance, and may be important to recall exactly as-is at a later date. […]
266 Comments
OCD and the Law – Part 3
An Australian pro boxer assaults a 70-year old man on a ferry boat and claims his OCD made him do it. Last of a three part series on OCD and the law. […]
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OCD and the Law – Part 2
A Kentucky man murdered his wife and then tried to claim that his OCD led him to kill her. Part 2 of a 3 part series. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
4 Comments
OCD and the Law – Part 1
A Scottish man claims his massive child pornography collection is due to OCD. Part 1 of a 3 part series from the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
1 Comment
OCD Stockholm Syndrome
Something akin to the Stockholm Syndrome occurs in some people who struggle with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ( OCD ). […]
2 Comments
Athletes With Anxiety
Mental health has long been shrouded in secrecy and shame. So when public figures like professional athletes actively seek help for anxiety, it is a sign of cultural progress. Here are some who have gone public with their struggles. […]
1 Comment
Social Anxiety in Baseball Revisted
This past week marked the arrival of the 2010 Major League baseball season. And as with last year, this season already has three developing stories of athletes dealing with Social Anxiety. […]
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Treatment of OCD and Anxiety: A Brief History
A look at how the treatment of OCD and related anxiety disorders has changed over time, especially the development of CBT and mindfulness for OCD. […]
3 Comments
Tiger Woods, Sex Addiction, and OCD – Part 2
Sex addiction is misconstrued by many to be a type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This article reviews various factors relevant to determining what diagnosis might be more appropriate. Second of a two part series. […]
4 Comments
Tiger Woods, Sex Addiction, and OCD
Many people, including professional psychotherapists, incorrectly think of sex addiction as a type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). This article reviews the essential differences between these two conditions and, how therapeutic strategies used for the treatment of OCD are unlikely to be successful when treating sex addiction. First of a two part series. […]
18 Comments
Latisse and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
The drug Latisse is prescribed to lengthen eyelashes, but it has significant, under-reported side effects. This raises two questions - is Latisse safe, and does its marketing exploit women's body image concerns? […]
2 Comments
Proposed DSM-5 Changes for OCD and Anxiety Disorders
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has proposed significant revisions to its "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition" (DSM-IV). Tom Corboy of the OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses changes planned for the new DSM-5, specifically those relevant to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related anxiety-based conditions. […]
7 Comments
Reassurance Seeking in OCD and Anxiety
Those with OCD and other anxiety based conditions often seek reassurance that their unwanted thoughts and feelings are not a threat. The OCD Center of Los Angeles discusses the problem of using reassurance seeking as an anxiety management strategy. […]
92 Comments
Phobia Treatment in Unconventional Settings
Traditionally, phobias have been treated in a therapist's office. But effective help for phobias can now be found in some very unexpected places. […]
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Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and Cosmetic Surgery
Many with Body Dysmorphic Disorder turn to cosmetic surgery in an attempt to alleviate their insecurities. Unfortunately, there are plenty of cosmetic surgeons who are more than willing to cash in on those with this serious psychiatric condition. […]
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OCD & Anxiety: The Year 2009 in Review
OCD and anxiety were in the news throughout 2009. Here are our votes for the top stories of the year about OCD and related anxiety based conditions. […]
2 Comments
Bizarre, Disturbing, Weird, and Unwanted Thoughts in OCD
Everybody has bizarre thoughts. But people with OCD respond differently to these thoughts. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
26 Comments
Emetophobia and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Emetophobia is the fear of vomit and/or vomiting. Tom Corboy, MFT, Executive Director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles, discusses Emetophobia and its treatment. […]
85 Comments
OCD and Mental Checking
People with OCD often struggle with 'mental compulsions'. The OCD Center of Los Angeles explores how to manage this sometimes baffling problem. […]
186 Comments
Cyberchondria: Health Anxiety in the 21st Century
The twin explosions of television and the internet have spawned a sharp increase in Hypochondria, and spawned a new mental health issue - 'Cyberchondria'. […]
8 Comments
Is Compulsive Overeating OCD?
A discussion of compulsive overeating (aka binge eating) and how it differs from OCD. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Serving clients internationally. […]
No Comments
Cy Young, Zack Greinke, and Social Anxiety
Zack Greinke has overcome his Social Anxiety to become a superstar in major league baseball. […]
No Comments
Exposure Therapy for OCD and Anxiety
Exposure therapy for OCD and other anxiety conditions is discussed by Tom Corboy, MFT, of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
46 Comments
Social Anxiety Research
Recent Social Anxiety research is discussed by Tom Corboy, MFT, executive director of the CD Center of Los Angeles. […]
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OCD Awareness Week
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CBT and Evidence Based Psychotherapy
Unfortunately, many psychotherapists dismiss evidence-based treatments such as CBT, instead choosing to do what feels comfortable for them. […]
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OCD, Mental Health, and the National Health Care Debate
A look at the national health care debate, especially as it pertains to OCD and related anxiety based conditions. […]
No Comments
Childhood OCD, Strep Infections, and PANDAS
There is a growing body of research that indicates strep infections are related to rapid-onset OCD in children. […]
No Comments
OCD and the Swine Flu – Part 2
Panic about the Swine Flu continues, despite facts that suggest there is no cause for increased concern. […]
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2009 Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation Conference
A review of the 2009 Obsessive Compulsive Foundation conference. […]
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New Trichotillomania Research
A look at recent research related to Trichotillomania. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
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Parenting a Child With OCD
Parenting any child is a full-time job. But parenting a child with OCD can be particularly challenging. From the OCD Center of Los Angeles. […]
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Social Anxiety in Baseball
A look at the recent rash of pro baseball players struggling with Social Anxiety Disorder. […]
No Comments
Michael Jackson and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
A look at the sad tale of Michael Jackson and his mental health issues. […]
No Comments
OCD and the Swine Flu
The past few months have seen an avalanche of news stories on the Swine Flu, despite its relatively low impact in the US. […]
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Meet the OCD Center of Los Angeles Staff
Meet the OCD Center of Los Angeles Staff […]
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Welcome to the OCD Center of Los Angeles Blog
Welcome to the OCD Center of Los Angeles Blog […]
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Category: Hand Washing

Does This Look Like a Needle to You?

What Is Contamination OCD? There’s More to It Than Meets the Eye…

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