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!

6459 replies

1,661 - 1,670 of 6,459

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Maggie ...I'm missing you...not that I want to pressure you to come back at all, till you're ready. Just missing your sweet presence and chatting to you. I really hope you're coping OK, and that your furbaby is doing OK too...

Sending wishes for you for love, healing, sleep (I know that you don't sleep), peace and strength. 💜

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Feeling very anxious today...got 2 days to tackle the intense cleaning needed for the inspection which is due Sunday morning...it's a lonely and stressful state. I hope I can cope.

I really need ongoing cleaning help with the house. I can't manage it. But I can't get a cleaner due to my germophobia. I once got a cleaner in, during my 3-year nervous breakdown 12 years ago...she cleaned the toilet, then straight away went to do the washing up, using the same gloves. I freaked out silently, and when she left I had to disinfect everything. I've never been able to have a cleaner since.

I guess I am in need of support today...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Good morning @NatureLover

☀🌷🌻🌹🐬

I wish I could be there with you, to give you a hand with whatever needs doing before the inspection on Sunday.

I think you are putting a lot of pressure on yourself, which really isnt necessary. They dont expect a pristine immaculate home ... that simply is not realistic. You have been there a number of years now I think? You've been a great tennant and have passed every previous inspection. I expect nothing different this time. What they are looking for is any evidence of damage or misuse. You'll be fine.

Emelia 💞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you so much for your support, @Emelia8

Yes, I've been here over 10 years...but this time there is water damage (staining) to the carpet, which is making me anxious. I mopped up something and the underlay on this ancient carpet stained through to the top, a big dark brown stain. So there is evidence of damage this time. Plus I only pass each inspection with great stress and it's really difficult to do all the cleaning - 6 months' worth of cleaning! I only do things like dust the ceilings and scrub the shower every 6 months for the inspections. So of course I realise that the inspections are good, to force me to do these things...but I find it so incredibly hard to cope each time.

i just want to go back to bed and shut down, to deal with my anxiety...it's always like this when an inspection is due. All my intense fears about homelessness get triggered and I often freeze in fear.

Thanks for listening as I always feel so alone, battling things I can hardly cope with in a big harsh world, at inspection time!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I really feel for you this weekend @NatureLover I think some inspections can make tenants feel devalued.but they should be just to check if anything needs fixing NOT a day that terrifies tenants.

Having said that, I’ll clean with you today and we can do our homes together.

You are never alone hun

💚💛💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Eve7 thank you more than I can say for your encouragement and support My mental health takes a beating at inspection time 😞


@Eve7 wrote:

Having said that, I’ll clean with you today and we can do our homes together.

You are never alone hun

💚💛💚


This means a lot, thank you I feel better knowing you are also cleaning with me.

Bless you heaps 💛 and I hope you are doing OK in yourself.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm ok @NatureLover just a bit flat today but trying to stay busy hence the big clean out...I'm downsizing and throwing out stuff left, right and centre lol. However, I might throw myself in the pool soon to cool off!!

Lots of love

xox

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

love the cleaning fairies @Anastasia

Hugs @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Eve7 sorry to hear you're feeling flat 😞 I'm impressed that you're having a sort-out and feel able to make the ruthless decisions to throw things out, if you're feeling flat...well done. I think you deserve a big dip in the pool 🙂

Sending you much 💛 back...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Here I am with a cuppa for a break and my gloves @NatureLover

☕☕🍪🍪

Join us @Eve7 @Emelia8 @Shaz51 ☕☕☕🍪🍪🍪

1,661 - 1,670 of 6,459