Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover and

@Emelia8, @Anastasia , @Former-Member , @Former-Member

@NatureLover, I can identify with the issues that you face. My situation is one that is almost unrecoverable. A combination of hoarding and a significant level of germophobia that is a barrier to me attending to the accumulation of ever increasing 'stuff' that really can no longer be cleaned. I really need to put on gloves to remove the collected detritus from which needs to be sorted any useable items of value. My situation is one in which I could not, in any reasonable amount of time, clean for an inspection, if I were ever in a position to need to. I am reaching the stage where I am developing the mental process of, with the assistance of counselling during the last, nearly twelve months, facing the need to address my situation.

Like your situation, the issue has developed from a number of issues, including depression, loss and grief of both a very special person and of a life that has been far from rewarding, phobias with undertones of OCD, etc.

Working through individual issues has brought me to a place where I am beginning to be able to address the developed problems that have been precipitated by those issues. The major problem being the complex issue of hoarding and subsequent inability to even clean my living space.

All this compounds the question of whether and in what ways I can ever improve my situation and move to a better, more productive and enjoyable place in life.

I do understand the exceptional difficulties that you face in dealing with your situation.

This may not give you much reason to feel any better, however, I hope that it may allow you to feel less on your own.

With Best Wishes

@HenryX

I have you in my thoughts @NatureLover for your inspection submission today ☕🌄🌻🌳

Hello @Emelia8

I've given in to the tossing and turning and I'm having a Sleepytime tea and a hot cross bun, would you like to join me?

Hi @Anastasia . so sorry you couldn;t sleep...I see you must've posted around 3am 😞

Are you able to nap during the day, if you have a bad night?

I've been sending wishes for your sleep (and your family's too)...I will continue to.

I am up at 5am, a bit groggy but just having coffee and on the computer till it gets light. Thanks heaps for your good wishes and encouragement ❤️ especially as you are grieving.

I missed my 10am self-imposed deadline yesterday. But I managed to do 2 of my nasty tasks: scrub the kitchen floor and clean the toilet. Both felt like having a bath in germs 😞 Very triggering. I had to go and sit outside to recover. One more nasty task this morning (scrubbing the bathroom floor) plus 4 other tasks before 9am. It won't be anywhere near 26 hours' work but it will have to do. Thankfully the thunderstorms are predicted for this afternoon, not this morning. Also I have a new row of front top teeth from the dentist yesterday ('facings').

How is your Mum coping?

And do you think a session with your holistic counsellor would be helpful? Or not?

Am concerned for you, dear friend. 💔 Am so thankful you have this week off.

Sending lots of 💚

Henry!!! You understand! 🙂 @HenryX

Thank you, thank you for your post. It is an immense comfort to me that you 'get it', as I don't know anyone else with that combination of MIs that clash so badly.

I always assume that to own your own home is best, so that's a great thing you have in your favour. I do realise that the rental inspections force me to clean up, but it is so triggering and awful for me - each task I have to psych up for, to be able to face the germs - and my deep fears and anxiety about my housing insecurity, makes your situation enviable. This is despite what must be your distress at your home being full of germy clutter and impossible to clean.

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@HenryX wrote:

I am reaching the stage where I am developing the mental process of, with the assistance of counselling during the last, nearly twelve months, facing the need to address my situation.

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This is huge...well done. The absolute courage needed to face both the hoarding and the germs - I am impressed, Henry. Especially when you're facing them by yourself.

Thank you again for your support and for posting what you did. I wish you all the success in the world as you face these incredibly difficult things. I am here to discuss them with too, if you like.

Dear @Emelia8 , thank you for taking the time to support me and for your encouragement ❤️ I appreciate it.

I will catch up with your news on your thread...

@Former-Member thank you for your encouragement 🙂

Dear @Anastasia sorry I missed the sleepy time tea and hot x bun this morning. Your invite was about the same time (4.30am) as I pressed my nurses call buzzer. I was in a lot of pain and needed one of my opiate pain meds. It helped with the pain, in that it took the sharpness out of it. But it also made me very drowsy, dizzy and dopey.

Sorry you werent sleeping, but hoping you can get some rest during the day.

Hiya @NatureLover ... My recovery is a work in progress. Congrats to you for the mighty effort and hard work you have put in for your house inspection.

Morning @NatureLover, sending you calm vibes and I hope it's over quickly and painlessly for you today 💚