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

Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

NatureLoverSenior Contributor12 Apr 2020, 12:00 pm AEST

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

1,801 - 1,810 of 6,459

1...180 181 182...646

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

outlanderSenior Contributor24 Feb 2021, 9:04 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover if you need glasses all the time including while driving, they have the option to actually tint them so you can have a set of regular glasses but also glasses that are tinted.

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor24 Feb 2021, 4:57 pm AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@outlander thanks...are tinted glasses the same as prescription sunglasses? And I have another question for you...what are the vision prescription scores out of? Is it 100? On my prescription, one of my eyes says 95 and the other says 60, but I don't know what it's out of...

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

outlanderSenior Contributor24 Feb 2021, 5:09 pm AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

um im not overly sure about the sunglasses @NatureLover i think they are quite similar though. i think you can buy prescption sunglasses that are suitable for you.
i had a friend have her actual glasses tinted though as her eyes were sensitive to the sun but couldnt wear sunnies all the time.
its def worth talking to the optometrist about though.

i believe the scores are how healthy your eyes are and all the tests they do so like eye pressure, vision, and all the things they look for in a healthy eye provides an overall score.

Im not sure what mine are but i know what strength my glasses are. i also have unequal eyes as well so one is abit better then the other. i also have a visionary thing where it takes a little while for my eyes to actually focus and i cant stare. i cant drive to much in the night depending where we are as the street lights affect abit of my vison as well. so when i read i often need a few seconds even with glasses to let my eyes adjust and i often need to take alot of breaks otherwise i get double vision. i will be without my glasses for a few days so they can be sent off to have the new lenses put in. they needed to go up a strength but my frames are in perfect condition so ive opted to keep them a while longer. they were blown away that ive owned them for so long and they are in such good condition. Not a bad $100 12 years ago hey!

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor24 Feb 2021, 5:46 pm AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh gosh, your vision sounds complex, @outlander ...I too am amazed you've had the same frames in good condition for 12 years! How will you go managing without them for a few days?

I've started with 2 pairs of glasses, one for work/when I'm out, and one for at home. This is due to the germophobia as otherwise I would be disinfecting them every day. I told the optometrist about the germophobia and she said the glasses wouldn't last if I was disinfecting them every day. So they supported my concept of one pair for out and one for home, once they had grasped it, lol. It was funny watching one lady, the glasses saleslady, trying to grasp it, hehe...she did really well, she's lovely.

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

outlanderSenior Contributor24 Feb 2021, 6:00 pm AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

ill be alright i mostly only use them for reading etc @NatureLover i can mnage without them im just abit slower and have to spend abit less time doing anything to do with reading. they said should be there maybe even friday or latest by tuesday next week so i think ill be ok with them.

im glad people understoof your germophobia

thats good as it cna be hard to understand.
i have some glasses wipes that i use to clean the lenses each use and also the frames every now and then too esp when ive been out or been near the horses.

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

AnastasiaSenior Contributor25 Feb 2021, 7:48 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover

Hello also to @outlander ❣️

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor26 Feb 2021, 7:48 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

That's beautiful, thank you @Anastasia !
Last day of work for you this week, hope it goes well...

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor26 Feb 2021, 7:55 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I would think even a few days without your glasses might be hard, @outlander ...but you are positive about it, so that's good 🙂 I hope yours will be ready by Friday.

Thanks for the reminder that germophobia is hard to understand. It's so entrenched in me that I forget that to most people germs are not even on their radar. Well, maybe Covid germs, a bit!

The glasses lady told me not to disinfect my glasses, only wipe the lenses using the wipe stuff they will provide. That might be hard for me, not to disinfect them occasionally, especially my going out ones....but we will see. Do the horses make your glasses covered in hay dust or something?

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

AnastasiaSenior Contributor26 Feb 2021, 8:25 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you @NatureLover and you too 🤗🌸💞🌸 These are stunning 🌸💞🌸

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

outlanderSenior Contributor26 Feb 2021, 8:43 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I dont need to wear mine all the time thankfully but even in the case the dust from hay or other feeds get in there or if ive been patting them ans didnt wash my hands before touching glasses the dirt and pet dander gets on them so i use an antibacterial wipe just to clean them. I dont always take them to the horses though as i generally dont need them.
The disinfectant can kind of ruin them though so i be careful and try not to over do it. Im highly allergic to all pet dander dust pollens grass seeds etc so i have to make sure they are clean before wearing them otherwise i come out in rashes itchy eyes general hayfever .

I think you have your eye appt today? I hope it all goes well

1,801 - 1,810 of 6,459

1...180 181 182...646

SANE Forums is published by SANE with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health.

SANE Forums does not provide crisis support.
If you need immediate assistance, please see available crisis services.

Learn more about SANE and SANE services at sane.org

Aboriginal flag

Torres Strait Islander flag

Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

Aboriginal flag

Torres Strait Islander flag

Transgender flag

SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.