FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Our stories

Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi, I have just joined. I have a few mental illnesses, but am especially interested in hearing if there are any diagnosed germophobes or people with hoarding disorder on these forums?

I don't know any germophobes in real life, and would be interested to know how any of you pre-Corona germophobes are doing. Can you find enough sanitiser? If not, what are you using instead? Has your germophobia gone sky-high in this pandemic? Do you find it less or more lonely now that nearly everyone is a self-confessed germophobe?

My germophobia is quite bad - I can't have anyone in my house, and need lots of sanitiser when I go out. E.g. I use it after leaving my house and before I get in the car; again before I touch the steering wheel, again after touching my purse, again before putting my seat belt on, etc. I am struggling to find enough sanitiser. If I run out, I was thinking about diluting some disinfectant and putting it into an old water bottle to take out with me. I had one really bad panic lasting 3 days that was debilitating, due to COVID-19, but after that thankfully my germophobia came back down to normal levels. I guess normal levels are not that great but at least I am used to them!

I am strangely finding it more lonely as a diagnosed germophobe now, and would really like to meet some other germophobes online and hear how you're going. At least I had a friend tell me that I was in a stronger position than him, during this health crisis, as he had trouble remembering to wash his hands, whereas I wash them a hundred times a day already!

6458 replies

1,201 - 1,210 of 6,458

In response to: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh my goodness, @Maggie - you have two types of arthritis? Ohhhhh 😞


@Maggie wrote:

I actually find summer worse for my RA and osteoarthritis. The heat drains my energy, so I think that feels heavy. Also the heat from swelling etc. I’m learning how to cope with it. It’s a day by day thing.


I'm sorry to hear. Another reason to prefer winter. You didn't say whether you have an aircon...I really hope you do.

My shoulders and arms aren't anything like as painful as RA is, from what I've read. I never thought of arthritis. I did have an old work injury in the worst shoulder...but the pain now goes right down to my elbows, so it can't be that.

Well done for going out yesterday on such a hot day for you, and with anxiety too...I'm glad it sounds like it went well. 🙂


@Maggie wrote:

Its nice seeing you here on your thread. I hope it’s ok for you. Pace yourself and see how you are going each day.


I am enjoying being here chatting with you, @Maggie . It's taken away the stress of overwhelm, but I still feel connected - thanks to you and @Emelia8 and @Anastasia and @Eve7 .

I hope you enjoy your cooler weather today. Take care...sending lots of 💜 to you.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Your shoulders are sounding awful. Pain is pain. It’s the person dealing with it who knows the distress etc. I hope you get relief soon.

Yes, I do have aircon. We weren’t too hot yesterday, and today it’s been raining, and a lovely cool morning. Unlike what I see forecast for you and other parts of the mainland. Stay cool.

Today I’m hoping to start on a snowflake mandala. I have some housework to do first. I have the base done, so straight into the bottom layer of dotting. It might happen, it might not. I’m feeling very tired after yesterday, but pleased I did it.

My neighbour has a large black Labrador. I watch them play many mornings. She has a playmate who visits, a staffy pup. They have a wonderful time of tug of war etc. very easy to waste time watching.

I hope today has lots of light moments or longer for you. I think of you often, send positive vibes across the Tasman, and lots of ❣️❣️❣️❣️

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Maggie wrote:

I’m feeling very tired after yesterday, but pleased I did it.


Well done. I'm finding the real life socialising after 7 months of staying home tiring too...although being back at work (volunteer job) has helped.

I'm relieved you have aircon. 🙂

I don't think I've seen a snowflake mandala...will you show us, when it's finished?

I had a large tree down in a storm recently, that narrowly missed the house. The landlord kindly arranged for the tree to be removed, but the tree removal people left a huge mess of small branches etc. So I'm paying for a big garden clean-up today. I am going to go around and do all the little stuff... The tree men even threw a whole heap of little branches over my fence (off the property), so I'll be collecting all that for the garden maintenance guy, while he does the bigger jobs. A lot of tall plants in the garden (not sure of names) were damaged by the tree when it fell...there's a lot to fix up.


@Maggie wrote:

I hope today has lots of light moments or longer for you. I think of you often, send positive vibes across the Tasman, and lots of ❣️❣️❣️❣️


Thanks heaps - I'm really grateful for this. 🧡

Thanks for your kind wishes re pain and cool weather.
Sending you lots of positive vibes and 💜 back.

In response to: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Sending 💕💕💕💜💜💜

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover 💕💜🧡

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover The large tree falling would have been scary. Did you see it happen ?

How did the clean up go yesterday ? Sorry you are left with mess to clean up, and damaged plants. Thank good no one was hurt.

I’m listening to rain on my roof at the moment. It’s such a peaceful sound. Everything is getting plenty of water.

The snowflake mandala is done by a lady I’m following and learning stuff from. I have the bottom done, it’s a bit wonky, as the light wasn’t the best, alway good to blame the elements. Lol. But I’m enjoying the progress. Waiting for the top coat paint to arrive in the mail.

I just realised, after checking my phone, that it’s Sunday, not Monday as I had thought.

Anyway, Sending 💙💙💙💙, hoping you are managing to get some rest, and time in nature.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Maggie ...glad you are enjoying the rain there 🙂

Is it your first snowflake mandala? It must take patience to have to wait for the top coats to dry each time, when you want to be painting...

The tree fell in the night and I slept through it! (With heavy-duty sleeping tablet) But my neighbours were out at midnight marvelling at how it missed the house. The clean-up yesterday went well and now it looks good, but with a gap in the garden now where the tree fell and the broken plants and bushes had to be trimmed off...the gardener assured me the plants will grow back to provide privacy again.

Yes, I am getting lots of rest and also time in nature, thanks. The house desperately needs tidying though, so hopefully I have the energy today to do a bit. NSW and Qld are having a heat wave I think, so we are lucky that it's cool in Tasmania and Melbourne.

💜 and thoughts and wishes are headed your way.

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Lilly6 wrote:

@NatureLover Sending 💕💕💕💜💜💜


@Lilly6 how lovely of you to visit my thread! I am having to stick to my thread at the moment cos of burnout. I have been thinking of you though, and wishing good things for you and hoping you are OK...

Thank you for your kind ...sending back to you...

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Dear @outlander , thanks for visiting I think of you every day and hope you are doing OK...I hope the pains and headaches are easing...

Sending back!

In response to: Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Emelia8 am concerned for you...I see you haven't been around...I hope you are coping OK since your father-in-law's funeral...

Sending good thoughts and

1,201 - 1,210 of 6,458