recurring spell of habits (OCPD small habits)

I'm not sure if this is linked or not but for the last year I have had new anxiety that has happened in the past after well sometime after a breakup. The thing is that I know a little stress about things is ok, but sometimes I get worked up over nothing. There are some days I don't have it as bad and it is getting better and it's not like I don't worry about other/bigger things. BUt...I find myself washing my hands way too often, then sometimes clean and put alcohol on my hands throughout the day after cleaning house. Also, if I itch I have to put antibacterial lotion on it, but I check it so often it can interfere with my schedule, especially if it shows, especially since I'm not alone. Sometimes I even wash my coffee mug two or 3 times (once isn't enough sometimes. However, I have (I think she was a distant relative) who always felt the need to bleach every doorknob in her house constantly. On the other end of the spectrum...i'm not a neat freak actually. Well, I'm clean but can be junky. However, there was a time when I could leave a bathroom or kitchen messy or not clean and it wouldn't bother me as much...now it does if it's too unclean. That was a while back when I was in high school or at uni.

A while back, before the breakup I wasn't like this. And then my mother thought I might be pregnant, but I wasn't. THe ocpd got bad for a short time around or right after this time. However, not too long after that, we got back together and it seemed to clear up shortly. We had inter course and weren't married. I'm just wondering if my guilt over the relationship/ premarital intercourse could cause this odd OCPD? It has gotten better, but it is still bothering me (the OCPD). Maybe they have nothing to do with each other. I don't really know. I have accepted it's a part of my past and moved on. It would have been best had we been married first, but we were not and didn't have the money.

Sorry, I need to add here. I have to admit that in the past, I have had anxiety. Some of that's in the family, and I just don't want it to get worse.

It's not uncommon for anxiety, and subsequently these habits, to pop up after an event that we find traumatic.

Knowing what it triggering your episodes is very self-aware of you, and for that you should be very proud. It took me a long time to even narrow down potential triggers for myself.
That being said, there is no easy answer to how you can go about treating yourself. It's a personalized experience for everyone.

I can recommend two things.

One, there is a book that greatly helped me. It is called the Anxiety Workbook, and can be found in the self-help section of any bookstore. It's basic, but it simply helps identity triggers, which you have already done well, but maybe you can identify them more precisely using the guide, and how to deal with them in less habitual manner.

The second is to perhaps see a counselor. I know that sounds generic, but I have a shrink, talk therapist to be exact, that I see when my anxiety starts to consume my life. She doesn't dole out meds or anything, she just listens and advises. She gives me breathing exercises and recommends things to me to help me control my habits. She's really very helpful and is even covered by insurance. It's not as batty as you'd think and just having her around (I see her once a month when I go to her) to vent my anxiety to and recommend just little things to aid me in my battle against the panic attacks and need to do things is really very helpful.

That's my course of action, perhaps someone else will have another, if it's not helpful. ^_^

That is very good advice. The thing is that I have no insurance to cover any counseling now. But, I guess it's something I need to get eventually...or save extra money at some point when it's possible too. Yes, and a good mood helps it, too, which that's proven to be good for anyone because it is positive.