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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!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Former-Member I was delighted to meet another germophobe last night at the OCD discussion event. Just wanted to let you know about my thread here about germophobia, in case you were interested in discussing your OCD more 🙂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It's become a heavy burden; I am running out of space to put things. I have draws and shelves that could be better utilized but are full of cleaning and hygiene products. I am always buying new products. And I tend to get them in bulk. I've got stuff that has moved houses 4 times over several years. Stuff I will probably never use but don't want to get rid of because of whatever reason I come up with whenever the idea to dispose of them comes up.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Emelia8 thanks for coming to the OCD event last night, I was glad to see you post 🙂 Take care on your big trip 💜

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Former-Member It's true - OCD is a heavy burden, I reckon. I'm sorry you're so stressed about all the cleaning products in your home. 😞 It must be like a safety blanket for you.

Do you have a psychologist /counsellor? I know my psychologist has helped me when it comes to getting rid of my hoarded things. It's an ongoing battle though.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Eve7 it was really good to see you popped in to the OCD event last night, especially with your Mum's birthday 🙂 I was sorry not to see you post more, but I realise it would have been hard to get the time to attend at all.

I hope your time with your Mum goes really well 💛

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@@NatureLover

Yes, it is a safety blanket, but it comes from never feeling I have enough. I just started doing some ACT sessions, and they are starting to help me cope.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi lovely,

Bf just brought me some honey toast and a cuppa in bed ☺️ Hoping to get up to change the sheets today, I'm sure it will make me feel better. How are things in the office, I'm a little behind on how close before your manager finishes and how the new one is going. Hope you are enjoying your Sunday @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Former-Member wrote:

Yes, it is a safety blanket, but it comes from never feeling I have enough. I just started doing some ACT sessions, and they are starting to help me cope.


Only just saw this - for some reason the tag didn't work, sorry, @Former-Member ! I'm glad you're finding the ACT helpful.

Did you ever have a period of scarcity in your life? I had, and it definitely affected me long-term.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for your message @Anastasia ...how are you feeling today?

I hope you were able to rest yesterday...

The new manager seems good so far...my boss is handing over this Thursday, but will still be in the office helping till the 5th.

Sending 💚 and good vibes for you and your boy...

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