Ever since my severe depression started in early August, I feel like I'm OCD about washing my face. Does anyone else have this problem - - correlation with OCD and battling depression? Maybe what I'm really battling is the anxiety that comes with my life crumbling due to unrelieved depression. In other words, maybe the face washing is my way of combatting anxiety?

Does this make sense to anyone?

[the abyss]

in our life we try to control what we can .due to depression and other things i used to wash my hands all the time etc... due to stresses in my life.
so seeing a therapist or hypnotherapist can help and will.
know that some one cares
take care

Originally Posted by the abyss

in our life we try to control what we can .due to depression and other things i used to wash my hands all the time etc... due to stresses in my life.
so seeing a therapist or hypnotherapist can help and will.
know that some one cares
take care

That makes a lot of sense the abyss. So far I've washed my face once this morning and forehead twice. WTH? Trying to relieve stress and fear I think

[the abyss]

hey, know that i care and you are not alone.
washing a lot can mean trying to control your environment/emotions. have you tried an elastic band on your wrist, if you 'twang' it hard enough it can replace the washing, or at least break your thought pattern.
remember you are always stronger than you think you are.
take care

Originally Posted by the abyss

hey, know that i care and you are not alone.
washing a lot can mean trying to control your environment/emotions. have you tried an elastic band on your wrist, if you 'twang' it hard enough it can replace the washing, or at least break your thought pattern.
remember you are always stronger than you think you are.
take care

Actually, since the heat has been on in the house and my skin has become much drier for some reason, I haven't been washing my face as much because that dries it out even more. I think there's definitely an anxiety component to my compulsion, but it's lessened now due the fact that I don't NEED to wash my face as often. I may try the rubberband trick, thanks.