i recommend googling dr fred penzel he explains in an easy coherent manner why this is the worst thing an ocd sufferer can do staying away from germs is the compulsion thinking that germs are harmful is the obsession in order to clear this particular obsession you must accept the compulsion as irrational touch those dirty or what your ocd mind is telling you that they are dirty and can harm you they cant surfaces do it over and over again your mind will eventually adapt to the anxiety and you will have rewired your brain through this behhavior the key is stick with the anxiety take the feeling it always passes each time less and less its hard work but i have conquered many compulsions this way there is no way to fight ocd you must let the ocd think that it is winning then you win by taking your life back