Cleaning is something that all of us do, whether daily, or less frequently, we all have homes to keep tidy and many chores to fulfil that make up part of that process. But when it comes to cleaning our homes, can we ever clean too much? Is there something that distinguishes a neat and tidy average person, from one who has a cleaning obsession?
It’s not always easy to tell, and not everybody who cleans a lot is necessarily an obsessive with a compulsive disorder, but usually, if your cleaning habits have a negative effect upon you or those close to you, it can be determined that you may have an issue around cleaning and obsessively keeping your home neat and tidy.
When does neat and orderly become obsessively clean?
Taking pride in your home and keeping it clean, neat and tidy is a positive thing, and we know that disordered or dirty surroundings can sometimes have a negative effect on our psychological wellbeing. However, if cleaning and tidying up is the first thing that you think about when you get out of bed in the morning, and the last thing that crosses your mind before you retire each evening, then there’s a strong chance that it may have become an obsession for you. If you search your floors for crumbs and dust routinely, if you clean things in your home every day that are already clean, if you make your own life difficult to avoid getting things dirty, then cleaning may have taken an unnatural hold over you.
If you work full time and spend all your free time cleaning your home, again, this may be an indicator that all is not well with the way in which you view cleaning. You may have an obsession that doesn’t allow you to skip any chores, no matter how tired you are or how late the hour.
It may even begin to encroach into your personal relationships, and you may find yourself getting cross with your partner or your kids if they don’t tidy up after themselves, or if they don’t appear to be as enthusiastic about cleaning as you. This can quickly escalate into a situation where your loved ones begin to resent you and your attitude towards cleaning, and arguments may arise.
Where can you turn for help if cleaning has become an obsession?
As with many addictions and compulsive disorders, recognising that you have a problem is the first step towards a solution, and so if you know that your cleaning habits have become obsessive and are putting your health and relationships at risk, you should seek help as quickly as possible.
Help can come in many forms, but one of the best ways of tackling a compulsive disorder is with cognitive therapy, and there are many registered therapists throughout the country. Most will require that you visit them in person, but there are some online courses available, too.
Life after a cleaning obsession:
Once your obsessive cleaning disorder is under control – and the time in which this happens will vary depending upon the individual – you may find that hiring some help with keeping your home clean, is helpful. Most professional cleaning companies will have a range of services and price plans, so you should be able to find one that suits your needs and budget.