OCD Action

Arran
Member

While at work on Wednesday I was setting up a customers Apple I-Phone and could not find the special tool to open the SIM holder (you have to push the tool into a small hole and the SIM holder ejects) so instead I used a opened out staple.

The first time I used the staple it worked fine but when I came to take the SIM out again the end of the staple pierced my finger (just like a needle would) and it started to bleed.

I got myself in a panic and rushed to the bathroom to wash it and when I returned there was no sign of the staple on the desk.

I'm now concerned that it may not of been a staple I used but instead a discarded needle or something else I could catch HIV from. I find myself asking questions like: would a staple cut my finger like that?

Fri May 21 2010 17:37:15 #
Unregistered

Hi Arran,
I think it is possible that a staple could do that to your finger, I remember a boy at school who got a staple lodged in his hand. But I know when you have OCD that reassurance will only work for a little while. I'm not sure if your a new member of this site or not as I haven't been here long myself, but there are other people here with similar fears who will be able to empathise with what you are going through and everyone is very friendly
Best wishes
Jo

Fri May 21 2010 18:31:37 #
Unregistered

Arran, I once cut myself with a staple. You would never have used a needle. As you said, it's a resurgence of the old obsession. You know you used an opened out staple. You also know how good OCD is at lying to us!

How is the other problem, is that giving you a break?

Tricia x

Sat May 22 2010 12:54:39 #
Truddles
Member

OCD is so manipulative isn't it? Even though you're sure of something the OCD is able to convince you that you're wrong

Sat May 22 2010 13:55:54 #
Jerama
Member

It is very easy to cut or stab yourself with a staple. If you look closely at a good quality staple you will see that each end - the bit that penetrates the paper - is sharpened with a "chisel" point so that it goes through the paper easily and in straight direction. It goes through your skin just as easily and once it has penetrated the outer layer it has a very easy job to go through the softer inner layers. This is why stabbing yourself with a staple bleeds so much. Who would have thought that there is so much engineering in a simple staple.

J

PS: give me a quid for every time I have stabbed myself with a staple and I will be rich.

Sat May 22 2010 21:30:10 #
jimmy
Member

hi arran
i know i am bit late for this thread but your ocd is a lot like mine.
i too have a fear of hiv and worry every time i get a cut or something like that and constantly check my body for cuts or nicks.i then worry that i have hiv and no one will believe i got it from a cut.i have spent a lot of time thinking where i could catch it from.things like getting stabbed by an infected needle and not knowing about it,you are not the only with these fears and i can assure you will not come to harm from a staple,we just need to try and relax and enjoy life.
take care mate
jimmy

Sun Jun 6 2010 10:32:07 #