Why am I obsessed with keeping my house clean?

Compulsive cleaning is often related to fears of contamination, and compulsive arranging can be caused by a need for symmetry and balance. This disorder can be treated with therapy, medications, and procedures that stimulate parts of your brain known to be affected by the disorder.


Why am I so obsessed with having a clean house?

Maintaining a clean and tidy home is usually a sign of good emotional health. When cleaning becomes obsessive, however, an underlying mental disorder may be the cause. Obsessive fears of contamination along with cleaning and sanitizing compulsions is one of many subtypes of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

What is it called when you have an obsession with cleaning?

In both popular media and everyday speech, the term “OCD” *meaning Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is synonymous with being unusually clean and organized.


How do I stop being obsessed with cleaning?

7 Things I Did to Stop Obsessing Over a Clean House
  1. Believe the truth that mess is morally neutral. ...
  2. Ruthlessly value your time and energy, and ditch the “should's”. ...
  3. Decide for yourself what cleaning tasks to prioritize, and create routines and habits around those limited priorities. ...
  4. Own less stuff.


Why do I want to clean all the time?

When people feel like their life is out of control or they are struggling with some uncertainties, cleaning can be a way to assert some control in their life. Cleaning gives people a sense of mastery and control over their environment.


20 TIPS FOR A CLEAN HOME | HABITS FOR KEEPING A CLEAN HOUSE



Is constant cleaning a trauma response?

Over the past decade researchers have discovered that for some people, obsessive behaviors such as repetitive washing or hoarding may be a way of coping with post-traumatic stress.

What does a messy house say about you?

Most often, a house that is so messy that it is unsafe or unlivable is a sign of an underlying mental health issue. While you might judge others for “laziness” when their homes are messy, they often do not want to live this way. They likely have no support to treat their mental illness or any family members to help.

What are 5 of the main symptoms of OCD?

Symptoms
  • Fear of contamination or dirt.
  • Doubting and having difficulty tolerating uncertainty.
  • Needing things orderly and symmetrical.
  • Aggressive or horrific thoughts about losing control and harming yourself or others.
  • Unwanted thoughts, including aggression, or sexual or religious subjects.


Do OCD people have clean houses?

Some people with OCD do have compulsions around cleanliness and order. However, this is not a diagnostic requirement nor the only way OCD manifests. It's important to acknowledge this because people living with OCD who aren't focused on cleaning might find it difficult to look for and accept their diagnosis.

What are the 4 types of OCD?

OCD can manifest in four main ways: contamination/washing, doubt/checking, ordering/arranging, and unacceptable/taboo thoughts. Obsessions and compulsions that revolve about contamination and germs are the most common type of OCD, but OCD can cover a wide range of topics.

What are the 9 symptoms of OCD?

Compulsive behaviour
  • cleaning and hand washing.
  • checking – such as checking doors are locked or that the gas is off.
  • counting.
  • ordering and arranging.
  • hoarding.
  • asking for reassurance.
  • repeating words in their head.
  • thinking "neutralising" thoughts to counter the obsessive thoughts.


Is OCD a type of anxiety?

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, OCD, is an anxiety disorder and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

What is cleanliness disorder?

Germaphobes are obsessed with sanitation and feel compelled to clean excessively, but they're really suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Is being a clean freak a disorder?

If someone simply enjoys keeping a tidy home and does not feel stress about germs, they likely do not suffer from any disorder. However, if the idea of leaving a surface unclean for a moment gives someone significant stress, then a mental disorder may be to blame.


Is a clean house good for mental health?

In fact, research shows that cleaning (or a lack of cleaning) can have an impact on your mental health. Clinical psychologist, Dawn Potter, PsyD, discusses tips for decluttering, how mess can contribute to depression and tension and hoarding disorder.

How a dirty house affects your mental health?

Researchers have found that a cluttered home contributes to stress, anxiety, and poor concentration. When a person's home is dirty, they may begin to feel overwhelmed, out of control, and anxious. Having a clean, accessible home can also make daily routines much easier.

What is daily life like for someone with OCD?

Hoarding or collecting things. Having the need for order, symmetry or perfection. Worrying about a serious disease despite medical reassurances. Compulsively cleaning/washing, checking, repeating or counting things.


What jobs are good for people with OCD?

For some people with OCD, independent work improves focus and productivity. Couriers, jewelers and cleaners often work on their own. Creative jobs like photography, copywriting and graphic design are also often highly independent.

Is it normal to clean your house every day?

Determining how often to clean a house depends on size, how often rooms are used, and the types of furniture and surfaces you have. Some things need to be cleaned every day, while a general clean can be done once a week, and deep clean every few months or annually.

What usually triggers OCD?

Ongoing anxiety or stress, or being part of a stressful event like a car accident or starting a new job, could trigger OCD or make it worse. Pregnancy or giving birth can sometimes trigger perinatal OCD.


How do you confirm if I have OCD?

The diagnosis process will likely include:
  1. A physical exam to see if your symptoms are due to a health condition.
  2. Blood tests to check your blood count, how well your thyroid works, and any drugs or alcohol in your system.
  3. A psychological test or evaluation about your feelings, fears, obsessions, compulsions, and actions.


What is the root cause of OCD?

Experts aren't sure of the exact cause of OCD. Genetics, brain abnormalities, and the environment are thought to play a role. It often starts in the teens or early adulthood. But, it can also start in childhood.

What is ADHD clutter?

“Cluttering is another behavior typical in folks with ADHD. Leaving items out as visual cues is a common way of compensating for an unreliable memory or inadequate time-management system, but to the untrained eye it can resemble hoarding,” she says.


What causes someone to not clean their house?

It might mean you are busy and have little time to clean and organize. It might be a sign that you have too much stuff. Or it might be the result of having young kids in the house who are usually not motivated to clean up after themselves.

Does your house reflect your personality?

All these little details are a reflection of your personality, of how you view yourself, your family and what's perhaps changed over the years. “Essentially, what your home does is distil a very long history of behaviours and choices,” explains Sam Gosling, Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas.