It means so much to me that you discuss these issues as, like you say, no one else does! I have contamination OCD and like you I've been rendered housebound by the pandemic. I'm particularly affected because my husband is clinically vulnerable and I'm terrified about him catching the virus (as a result he too has been housebound alongside me all this time). I've not seen any of my family or friends this whole time ( in fact I had to miss my granddad and dad's funeral because OCD made it impossible to attend) and I too can't be with people even in the garden. Since omicron arrived I've not been outside at all - so I'm super impressed that you are still able to get out for a walk every day (I think it's great that you've given yourself a little break from walking today while you're tired from the vaccine). I'm inspired by your example and will try to go for more walks as soon as I can. I get supermarket deliveries for food but even that is very frightening as the delivery driver usually isn't wearing a mask and they stand too close despite us putting a sign out asking them to stand back. I'm pretty much knocked out with anxiety and exhaustion for the rest day after that. Without the vaccines I would be in an even worse situation. It was only after my husband and I got our second doses that we were able to let someone come into our house to fix our broken boiler - we'd been using cold water for a few weeks prior to that. It upsets me that I had to fight to get my booster (and my first and second doses) at home when the GP is aware how disabled I am by my OCD. (My husband after a lot of battling and explaining to them that he too is housebound because of my OCD was finally put on the housebound list but has yet to receive his booster which is causing me a lot of distress). I totally agree with you that anyone who suffers with contamination OCD or any other mental health issue that leaves them needing vaccines to be able to function, should get them on the NHS and they should not have to fight for it especially as people with mental health issues are often the least able to fight for what they desperately need. Thank you for raising awareness about this issue! Sorry about my comment being so long.
