I sighed internally as I got into the lift to take pictures of the giant silver bins downstairs. I’d put the recycling out about 15 minutes earlier. I was sure of it, but I had to check.

I have OCD and my issue with rubbish, contrary to what you might expect, has nothing to do with germs. Instead, it has everything to do with lying. My obsession with being truthful began after I discovered I’d been extensively lied to by an ex-partner and friend. When I found out, I was determined to be the exact opposite of them. I was contaminated; not by germs, but by association.

This is ridiculous, I thought, as I snapped away at the bins. My desire to recycle – and prove that I’d done it – began after my new partner visited my home for the first time last summer. “You really should be recycling more,” he advised, inspecting my admittedly large rubbish pile, which had formed while living without flatmates for the first time and trying (and failing) to keep on top of a stressful job.

“My OCD made me terrified I would cheat on my partner – the condition isn’t just about germs”