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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!

6459 replies

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh gosh, meds...I hope they have been sorted. I'm sorry there's still no news on a bed 😞

I see on another thread that your anxiety's been especially bad today 😞 ...well done for talking to a SANE counsellor and doing grounding techniques. Am hoping that it's helped.

I managed to sit in the sun today - am pleased as there's showers every day in the extended forecast.

Sending you more hugs and more 💚 dear @Anastasia .

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you @NatureLover I really can't see much light around this situation at present.

I am concerned for me right now, I can barely string a sentence together and am teary and my heart is racing even now, even though there is no immediate "threat" or reason for it to be. The grounding helped at the time but It's going to take a miracle to drag me along if things don't improve soon. Sorry to be a sad sack just venting xox

Good on you for making the most of a sunny day, always good for the soul xox

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh gosh, dear @Anastasia ...somehow I didn't see this message on Wednesday, I'm sorry 😞 Am concerned for you! Your anxiety sounds very bad - am so sorry to hear. Remind me - are you on meds for your anxiety, or seeing a counsellor? Or do you just ring the SANE Helpline as needed? I seem to remember you don't have a regular counsellor...

I'm going to go looking for some more news as I seem to have missed a chunk. I got sick yesterday - the sitting in the sun didn't help as I hoped it would. Am on the trail now though! Sending heaps of 💚 and wishes out to the universe for you and your boy...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks beautiful,

Yes things are rougher than they've been in a while. Yes to meds when extreme, yes t councillor however she cancelled in my last appointment so it's been months and Sane is my last resort when I know I need to offload. Really want the Universe to produce abed really need it to happen...

@NatureLover

Sorry you were unwell yesterday. I do hope 5ou are feeling a whole heap better today. Love and hugs x

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Anastasia am sending out wishes to the universe for a bed very soon.

So you only take a anti-anxiety med when your anxiety is extreme? Is that enough?

I'm glad you have a regular counsellor, although it doesn't sound enough either, if you haven't seen her for months 😞

I'm still sick, but yesterday I dropped my bundle, and today am up and doing what I need to (so far!), thankfully.

Hope today is a much better coping day for you 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Not sure if it's enough @NatureLover just also not sure about side effects of meds. I am scared having had my boy in ER twice from meds and witnessing the side effects. Was seeing therapist monthly and that seemed to be enough but lately I'm questioning everything. Had bad thoughts lately around things happening to me to take me out of the picture for a rest...of course only thoughts. I just need a break and rest sooooo badly. I can't see the light anymore NL x

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh, I'm so sorry you can't see any light, @Anastasia 😞

I'm wondering if you could chat to your GP about a low dose of anti-anxiety meds...I'm wondering if they might help to avoid the extreme anxiety a bit? I'm assuming the meds that your son is on are a different type of med, but in any case, chatting to the GP about possible side effects wouldn't hurt... You would presumably have your crisis anti-anxiety meds still, to use as needed...

Do you have an appointment booked with your therapist at least?


@Anastasia wrote:

Had bad thoughts lately around things happening to me to take me out of the picture for a rest...of course only thoughts. I just need a break and rest sooooo badly.


I can feel how desperate you are for some rest and relief. 😞

I know you're putting everything into caring for your son...I hope though that you'll take some steps for yourself too. What would happen if you ended up collapsing with some sort of nervous breakdown and ended up in hospital? Would your son go to his father's? I'm sorry to mention it if these are some of the fears you're experiencing 😞 I'm concerned for you and am hoping that you can maybe get some extra support now, like regular meds and more frequent therapy, to help you through 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover thank you all mulling around in my head 🙏

Oh my goodness no not at his father's, that is a Massive trigger for him/me.

I really can't fall in a heap, I am it.

So I won't but yes I am concerned so need to pick up my game on self care which I will, promise x

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Anastasia wrote:

Oh my goodness no not at his father's, that is a Massive trigger for him/me.


Oh gosh 😞


@Anastasia wrote:

yes I am concerned so need to pick up my game on self care which I will, promise x


Am happy to hear, dear friend. Want you to be well and able to enjoy being your beautiful self. 💚

Forgot to tag you @Anastasia

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover

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