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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?

@NatureLover my friend is extremely grateful for the hard work of the last week which makes it all worthwhile. I think it could take a couple of days for me to recalibrate and get going again. Feeling a bit shattered to be honest.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Wow, @Dimity , it sounds like you went above and beyond for your hoarder friend. Well done.

Can you give yourself a few days off? Sounds like you need a rest and some 'down time'...

I'm feeling down today and I told my friend I wanted to stop the Friday sortings for a while. I'm not coping with someone in my house (the germophobia). Plus I've run out of puff for the sorting. Instead I will just try to keep the house relatively neat.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thinking of you @NatureLover @and really hoping the weekend goes well for you. Take care 💚🤸🏽‍♀️💚

@Dimity you’re a trooper! 💙

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry you're feeling down @NatureLover . I guess it'll be too hot tomorrow for garden therapy.

I think I need a break too. Maybe we can share commiserations.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you, dear @Eve7 - especially when you have been having a hard time yourself 💛

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Dimity Yes, way too hot for garden therapy although I need to do watering early before it gets hot.

I'm glad you can allow yourself a break. What will you do? Do you have some self care things you like to do, apart from your gardening?

I might do some sewing (mending) today. I still feel down and the house is a mess, although not too bad I guess compared to sometimes.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I was a couch potato most of the day tbh @NatureLover . Not feeling the best. During my years of depression I lost sight of self care activities and haven't really got back onto them yet. I got a big batch of washing done and cooked a veggie hotpot tonight so the day wasn't entirely wasted.

Ditto re the house being a mess. We'll get there.

I leave the sewing machine out for mending but should find somewhere to tidy it away.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Just dropping some 💕💕💕 off @Dimity @too 💕

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks @Bow . Take care

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Dimity I think being a couch potato all day is also self care. I know I need days like that, where I entirely switch off. Doing laundry and cooking healthy meals is also self care. I think you did well yesterday. Especially with depression (I'm not sure if that was the "not feeling the best" you were referring to).

I cleared up the lounge room and my bedroom yesterday, so I was pleased. Now just the kitchen and my desk are messy. I also watered the garden and did some weeding and removing of blackberries. I didn't do any mending but that can wait. I don't think it got to 37C, so that was good.

I hope you're feeling a bit better today...I think it's good to rest after your exertions, and after working so hard on your own stuff every day for ages. Hopefully you can take as long as you need. 💚

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