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</p><p id="8efc">Once the “pandemic” is something of the past, I feel like I will be more at ease. I want to point out that I have exposed myself to certain stressors, but that only happens when I feel like I can handle it.</p><p id="5646">I am seeking a therapist that can hopefully provide me with the proper help or support.</p><h1 id="e944">Read More From The Author:</h1><p id="16fa"><i>How I Feel About Being Neurodivergent</i></p><div id="f85f" class="link-block"> <a href="https://leedranea.medium.com/how-i-feel-about-being-neurodivergent-d27fcfa672a6"> <div> <div> <h2>How I Feel About Being Neurodivergent</h2> <div><h3>Happy National Autism Month — 2023</h3></div> <div><p>leedranea.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*xKBdnmkVpBNz1XeziPVKHQ.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="be28"><i>Happy National Autism Acceptance Month — 2023</i></p><div id="9fe5" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/happy-national-autism-acceptance-month-2023-4b9cb6e1cb58"> <div> <div> <h2>Happy National Autism Acceptance Month — 2023</h2> <div><h3>Celebrate Our Differences!</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*dmMjaxku-yxU53KAwIF8Ww.png)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="0f53"><i>Happy World Autism Acceptance Day — 2023</i></p><div id="e8bb" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/happy-world-autism-acceptance-day-2023-d443d7c3287e"> <div> <div> <h2>Happy World Autism Acceptance Day — 2023</h2> <div><h3>Photo by Peter Burdon on Unsplash</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*U384WAGMyWUmn_eb32TYPw.png)" # Options ></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="0ef8"><i>Personal Piece: I’m Different</i></p><div id="0ba9" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/personal-piece-im-different-31195523ed60"> <div> <div> <h2>Personal Piece: I'm Different</h2> <div><h3>Photo by Vijayagaran on Unsplash</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*hD9Y7bFP9TeFfCBM)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="2ef4"><b>Here’s my referral link to get full access to Medium stories:</b></p><div id="2d84" class="link-block"> <a href="https://leedranea.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Dranéa</h2> <div><h3>Read every story from Dranéa (and thousands of other writers on Medium). Your membership fee directly supports Dranéa…</h3></div> <div><p>leedranea.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*T-6Iriwzqy9tcSIA)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="a6a5"><b><i>I receive a small commission.</i></b></p><p id="942d"><b><i>If you want to support my writing, ‘follow’ my stories and consider ‘tipping:’</i></b></p><div id="b8bc" class="link-block"> <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/leedranea"> <div> <div> <h2>Dranéa is Writing On Medium ☯</h2> <div><h3>HEY! 👋I love a good chat & ☕The online publishing platform, Medium has helped shaped me into the intuitive writer that…</h3></div> <div><p>www.buymeacoffee.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*WQRCE9mCnJSVlnm3)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="7898"><b>Thanks in advance. 🌟</b></p></article></body>

Contamination OCD & The Pandemic

Are We Still Living In A Pandemic — 2023?

Are we still living in a pandemic?

Depending on who you may ask, the answer will vary — Observe or survey the people around you.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we are still living in a pandemic.

Will the end of the pandemic be declared at the end of 2023?

Stay up-to-date with new and updated information from leading health experts, regarding COVID-19.

I like to think that we are no longer living in a pandemic, so I can do mundane things with ease; however, it is for a fleeting moment because my brain goes into survival mode, even though I am presumably safe.

I am not here to suggest that we are or we are not living in a pandemic — I just know how I feel and it feels real to me.

I believe my OCD is trauma-related (listed as “unspecified”):

Living with OCD is living in constant fear of things that are outside of my control.

My OCD has been left untreated for far too long. Therefore, I am left to my own devices.

I have intrusive thoughts that lead to repetitive behaviors.

The pandemic has exacerbated my constant fear of coming into contact with contaminants.

As far as I know, I have not been infected with the virus since it was declared a public health crisis.

Contamination OCD is a subset of OCD.

For now, I avoid going to crowded places — When that is not an option, I engage in repetitive behaviors that put me at ease, until I have to do it all over again.

Masks, Hand Sanitizer, and Hand Wipes are my essentials!

If you suspect that you may have OCD, ask your Health Care Provider to screen you for it.

Once the “pandemic” is something of the past, I feel like I will be more at ease. I want to point out that I have exposed myself to certain stressors, but that only happens when I feel like I can handle it.

I am seeking a therapist that can hopefully provide me with the proper help or support.