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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!

6458 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?

Dear @Emelia8 , thank you for your lovely message ❤️

I'm in the throes of panic at the moment so didn't get much done yesterday (except a lot of washing and drying).

But your message is so encouraging, thank you ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

What a great decision @Dimity !

I'm finding that having someone come weekly to help is a good motivator too. It sounds like the person you have helping you is working out well? How did you find them?

Yesterday I fluffed around doing tiny jobs and a lot of washing and drying (hot day). I couldn't face the kitchen bench 😞 So today I am going to pack up the kitchen bench into boxes and put it in my neighbour's shed. I need to start the cleaning as I don't have much energy and doing it all in 2 days is not possible. I have my volunteer job on Mondays and would like to go to that tomorrow as otherwise I get too behind in the paperwork and it becomes too stressful. But it depends on how much I get done today. Still haven't written the Plan of Action!

Thank you for caring /understanding ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover

Well done on getting so much washing done. The day wasn't as hot as I'd expected, probably because it was overcast.

Packing stuff in boxes can be a short-term solution. Are you packing any foodstuffs or perishables with use-by dates? I'm now at the stage of working through my boxes and other stored and shelved stuff. You might even call it discovery and recovery.

I found my helper through an online care agency providing help for disability support, aged care and private clients. She has mental health support expertise and experience. It's expensive but maybe comparable to weekly therapy. I've been doing it for 3 months now with a break over Christmas/New Year. I'd been on the journey much longer but felt I needed mentoring and practical assistance.

This afternoon I'll get into the garden for a little while. Have a good day.

Dimity

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I like that - "discovery and recovery"!

No, there's no food in the boxes. And my friend is coming again this Friday (after the inpsection) to make a start of the boxes in the shed...

Your helper sounds ideal. I hope you can have her for some time more...

Hope you were able to do the gardening yesterday, as it seemed to be drizzling most of the day off and on...

@Dimity

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks @NatureLover . It's good your friend will keep on helping you.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well, it's 6am on the day of the inspection and I've been awake since 4am. For the first time ever I was all ready the evening before the inspection 😮 Unheard of!

I'm sure your encouragement and care helped @Dimity - thank you ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Best wishes @NatureLover I hope it goes well for you

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Looking forward to your update @NatureLover .

Today I dealt with some wardrobe clutter and a couple of folders of papers. It took quite a while but didn't look much.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Dimity wrote:

Looking forward to your update @NatureLover .


@Dimity I'm not coping today, had a big upset this morning, but I was so touched by this that I wanted to pop in and answer you ❤️

I think the inspection went OK, at least the house was all done, neat and clean. The new real estate agent didn't say much, didn't comment on the house, just took a lot of photos. But he didn't say anything bad. I'm greatly relieved it's over for another 6 months.

Well done on your folders of papers - papers take so long as you have to mentally process each piece of paper and make a decision on it. Well done on the wardrobe stuff too. You seem to be making a lot of steady progress.

Thanks again for caring. Going to try and be back online on the forums tomorrow morning as usual.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm so glad you can put the inspection behind you @NatureLover . I appreciate your letting us know.

Look after yourself. Upsets and their aftermath are the pits. Sending a virtual hug. And thanks for your support.

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