A York-based woman has described how tailored support from NHS Talking Therapies enabled her to overcome a debilitating obsession with handwashing and cleanliness, developed after she picked up a skin infection at her gym.

Meg, 25, works in retail and had always considered herself someone who coped well, day-to-day. However, around five years ago she felt mortified after contracting ringworm, a common fungal skin infection, on her arm. She became overwhelmed with the anxiety it would happen again. This grew into an avoidance of touching anything other people had touched and the need to always feel clean.

Meg says her compulsions made everyday life feel impossible. She had to prepare mentally to touch things and would worry about her ability to wash. She was in tears every day and eventually, her symptoms became so bad she left her job. Her GP diagnosed obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and referred her to Talking Therapies.

Her therapist developed a plan for Meg based on structured exposure exercises to gently face the anxiety driving her compulsions. For instance, Meg would go to a café and touch a door handle she knew other people had used. She learned to sit with the feeling of anxiety after touching the handle. After exposing herself to this, she doesn’t think much about it now.

Since completing treatment, Meg feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders and she can finally do things for herself again. Although her compulsions still arise every now and again, they no longer dictate her life and she is in a much better place.

“After being referred for Talking Therapies, I genuinely felt like my issues were insurmountable, but they weren’t,” Meg said. “Touching a door handle in a café without immediately washing my hands might sound tiny, but for me it was huge. Those small wins added up and helped me get my life back.

“You’d be surprised just how much difference a few weeks of incorporating tools and strategies into your real life would make. I couldn’t believe the difference and now I feel able to live my life again. Going to therapy was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

NHS Talking Therapies provide people with practical skills and techniques to overcome a range of mental health conditions like OCD, social anxiety disorder, PTSD, panic disorder, body dysmorphic disorder and phobias. Anyone can self-refer online without needing to see their GP, or have an already diagnosed mental health condition.

Talking Therapies treatment involves talking to a trained professional in a safe space about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and can include methods such as CBT, counselling or guided self-help, depending on the mental health condition.

Dr Adrian James, NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity, said: “Through proven treatment and support available for free on the NHS, these conditions can be overcome to help people return to work, regain confidence or feel back to their old selves in social situations.

“Our message is clear, if you’re struggling with your mental health, NHS talking therapies are here for you, and you can either self-refer or speak with your local GP practice.”

You can find out more and refer yourself for NHS Talking Therapies at nhs.uk/talk

• Pictured: Meg plays shuffleboard in a pub with friends. Before NHS Talking Therapies enabled her to overcome a debilitating obsession with handwashing and cleanliness, this is an activity Meg couldn’t have faced.