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!

6445 replies

21 - 30 of 6,445

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @NatureLover ..,,

Forum tip that we share with each other ..., putting the @ symbol immediately in front of someone's user name sends them a notification that you posted to them, and a link to your post ...., it makes it easier to work out who we are all talking to ..... lol

I naturally gravitate to order, but I can manage in a messier state. How does it work for you ?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you @Faith-and-Hope , I have edited my post accordingly.

My germophobia is complicated by my hoarding disorder. So my house is very messy. Both of them adversely affect day-to-day functioning.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

and in having a system which helps you to cook dinner?-- @NatureLover , i have just finished dinner tonight and everything is on the side ready to be washed

Does your love of order impair your life, or does it help your life? -- amm good question my friend , my house is tidy but not clean if you know what i mean

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Shaz51 it sounds like your love of order enhances your life.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Baby steps maybe @NatureLover ..... change one small thing at a time, and only take on the next one when the first feels like it's working / staying roughly in place or returning to place after use ?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Faith-and-Hope .

Any other germophobes or diagnosed hoarders here? <looks around hopefully>

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Fee1 , that's interesting you think the low immunity might be from your MI meds. I have never heard that before. I'm sorry you get sick a lot, that sucks. It sounds like you aren't in the cult any more...I've heard it can be really difficult to break out from cults.

I swopped our discussion to the germophobia thread, hope that's OK.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hey @NatureLover, yes not in the cult anymore - took a few years to get out completely.
bit of a luddite - how do I find the germaphobe thread?
Have a good day, cheers

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Fee1 this is kind of the germophobia thread - at least, I haven't found any others yet.

Good for you for getting out of the cult - sounds like it was hard work getting out. I hope you don't have any lasting damage.

I managed to find some hand sanitiser online that was actually available...it arrived today. I tried twice before with other companies, but after paying and everything they said they couldn't deliver due to courier restrictions or something. I found some at the Vetkleen website. Very expensive though. I'll juggle it with something else.

Hope you are doing OK.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @NatureLover, sorry been a bit unwell. Thanks for the tips about sanitiser. My local chemist got some small bottles in, limit of two per person so I think I’ll be ok.

As for the cult, I dream about it quite a bit. Bit of a pain.

No new cases of vivid where I live for about a week so that is heartening. Hope you are going ok, best, F.
21 - 30 of 6,445