Expert: John Date: 2/24/2004 Subject: OCD and a fear of corrosive chemicals.
Question I've had bad problems with OCD since I was about twelve. Since I used some Drano/Liquid Plumr stuff a few month back, I've been troubled by corrosive acids bases and such. I've tried asking chemistry people about it hoping for some info that would ease my fears, but it just makes me worry more. Typical ocd scenario; I imagine that the stuff is everywhere but don't have a good way to tell. I had trouble when I walked near the car batteries at walmart the other day. My psychiatrist has me on nothing as far as pills at this point, I've been on tons of them and I'm just better off without the side effects. Is there anything you might tell me to ease my fears? I just turned 30 and it seems the ocd is getting worn out, your advise might actually help.
Todd
Answer Todd, i think you may need to be at least one SSRI. There are some with minimal side effects. Such as Wellbutrin SR or Anafranil. You need to stop asking chemistry people about this as it is growing into an obession. You might talk to your doctor about exposure therapy to these substances like be exposed to somthing that is pefectly harmless like ordinary water but which is labeled battery acid or clear soapy soap solution which is labeled a base. And get used to handling it. You may want to start out with handling vinegar which is mild acetic acid. It is harmless and sometimes used a window cleaner and certainly mixed with oil for use on salads. It can be put in a spray bottle and sprayed on kitchen and bathroom faucets to clean the lime deposits off the chrome faucets fixtures and rinsed with water. Perhaps you need to be put on some Xanax for anxiety if you are feeling anxiety about thinking about this. most of what you are describing are relatively weak solutions. I work with the full strength concentrated forms of these chemicals every day but we use vinyl gloves and safely goggles and lab coats. And never have a mishap. You are highly unlikely to ever come into contact with solutions such as these. Eating an orange or grapefruit means you are contacting citric acid which is harmless, drinking coke menas you are drinking carbonic and phosphoric acid which is harmless. Taking tums or antacids for a sour stomach is taking a base which is a rememdy. Thats how you need to look at htese things. They are merely tools to solve problems not to create problems. Think of them as tools. No battery acid inside a sealed battery is ever going to get out of the battery and harm you. If you find you need to avoid all such substances than buy some plumbers friend (plumbers cup for dealing with drain clogs and there are much more sophisticated plungers on the market today from home depot or Lowes. No chemicals are needed. Vinegar is very harmless and oftn used by women for douching. It does not harm them. Swimmers ear which can be picked up by swimming or even taking a shower is treated by a half and half somution of rubbing alcohol and vinegar you can make yourself and people place a few drops on a cotton ball and place it in their ear. But your psychiatrist should really have you on some meds. most side effects become manageable after a while. If you have a dry mouth then carry sugar free lifesavers or sugar free chewing gum.
