Get to know OCD The “What If” OCD Thought That Took Over My Life
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Feb 26, 2026 William Schultz, therapist and former OCD sufferer who recovered through ERP and now leads OCD Twin Cities. He recounts how a single "what if" thought spiraled into fears of STDs, needles, rabies, and distrust of memory. The conversation covers escalation from checking to avoidance, why ERP felt terrifying, and the turning point when he chose confronting OCD over perceived safety.
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How One Lunch Thought Triggered Years Of OCD
- William Schultz describes the moment a lunch-time thought “what if I have an STD” spiraled into persistent HIV fears that hijacked his day.
- He got tested the next day, felt momentary relief, then immediately had a new intrusive needle-contamination image that revived panic.
Clinic Visit Sparked Contamination And Safety Rituals
- A single clinic visit led to a cascade: a thought about blood on the elastic band became fears of reused needles and lifelong infection risk.
- Over months William developed avoidance and safety rituals, spending thousands on doctors while doubting medical reassurance.
OCD Turns Perception Into Uncertainty
- OCD shifted William from distrusting others' facts to distrusting his own memory and senses, turning ordinary scenes into catastrophic possibilities.
- He began treating clear objects (a condensation ring, a chip bag) as ambiguous threats by replaying and doubting perception.