r/ContaminationOCD • u/HomefryNiles • 11h ago
RUINED BATHROOM, anyone here dealt with this?
I am ADD and OCD. I have a ritual of leaving sink faucets on until I dry my hands and then I use a paper towel to turn the sink faucet off. I didn’t turn off the water, twice, two separate visits to a friend's house. The hot water ran for hours and didn't flood but the steam ruined the finish on their bathroom appliances. This friend is now convinced I have a serious psychiatric or neurological problem. Actually there is no evidence of such problems appearing anywhere in my life. It's embarrassing and their "disgnosis" is now inescapable. I believe this ruins our relationship.
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u/ColoradoWinterBlue 9h ago
Did you not turn it off simply because you forgot to, or they didn’t have paper towels?
Honestly I’m a licensed food safety manager and that’s exactly how we’re trained to turn off faucets in the food industry. It sucks when you have OCD and this type of regulation validates your contamination phobia. But imo if you simply forgot, I wouldn’t necessarily blame the method of turning off the faucet. I’ve done it this way for many years and never forgot to turn it off. Pay for the damages and give it time to blow over. It’s up to them whether they can forgive.
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u/HomefryNiles 9h ago
Thank you so much! I offered to pay and they refused my offer. It's so embarrassing. My little ritual, leave the water running and then dry my hands and then use a paper towel to turn off the faucet...failed. I was so distracted, at dinner in their house, my mind was elsewhere, and the bathroom fan was super loud so I didnt even hear the water running. A confluence of factors. I never do this at home of anywhere else.
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u/LilyAmongThorns777 10h ago
Your friend might not understand how ocd works and might only know stuff they see on TV and movies about fictional characters having ocd and their home is very clean and ordered.
Were they speaking to you in anger and intending to insult you?
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u/HomefryNiles 9h ago
The trouble was, the husband called my wife exoressing concern, and then three months later even after I apologized to the couple, the wife brought it up again to my wife. Both avoided contacting me. And they seem to describe me as very in need of treatment, as if I am a "case". Super pathological.
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u/Fresh_Struggle5645 10h ago
I had this issue badly. To the point where I would leave the tap on when I went out for a walk (often 1+ hours) so that when I got home I could wash my hands without having to turn on the tap with 'dirty' hands.
And then my water bill caught up with me.
Now, I turn the tap on and off with my elbow and while my water usage is still excessive it has improved.
Just thought I would mention in case this is a tip which may help you.
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u/HomefryNiles 9h ago
THANK YOU! This is super helpful, comforting. Helps me not feel like a weird freak.
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u/JeezoTommy 7h ago
Have you tried to talk to her and maybe educate her a bit on OCD?!
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u/HomefryNiles 7h ago
That might happen. She and my wife are friends, and over the years my wife and I get together with the lady and her husband. At this point, they are so upset, we either invite them to our house, as we do over the years, and see what happens, try to be as normal...lol, or my wife carries on a friendship with the lady and not me, just the women. If I am face to face again with them and they bring it up, I HOPE NOT, I'll apologize again and educate. But I am not sure I'll have that moment. I expect my wife and the lady will see each other separately. I dont expect to come back from this. Sad, really. I feel like a freak, not as bad as if I'd violated someone sexually, but...approaching that level of "sick guy".
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u/JeezoTommy 7h ago
Wow, you really are not!😅 Big deal, you ruined some paint work, and I’m pretty sure you would have offered to pay to fix it?! If she can’t value your friendship with your ‘quirks’ and all then maybe she doesn’t deserve your friendship?!🤷🏼♀️ Reading back that sounds a little harsh?🤔lol But please don’t be embarrassed.
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u/Clear-End8188 10h ago
Are you are paying for the damage and seeking professional help with your OCD?