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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?

Thank you, @Bow ❤️ Back atcha! 💜

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for those kind words @NatureLover. Yes maybe depression. Also stress anxiety fatigue and becoming emotionally depleted and highly reactive. I reached out to my pdoc.

Gosh you did well with your loungeroom and bedroom and weeding. I need to keep checking my backyard to see if any blackberries are regrowing.

If all goes well I'll get back into the garden this week. I've restarted the housework and caught up on the food shopping.

Looking forward to hearing about your weekend.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Dimity wrote:

Yes maybe depression. Also stress anxiety fatigue and becoming emotionally depleted and highly reactive.


I'm sorry to hear, @Dimity , that's quite a load to carry 😞

Good on you for reaching out to your pdoc...I hope you get a quick response.

Well done on your food shopping and housework. I achieved no housework apart from laundry yesterday, but am still proud of myself as I cooked a proper meal, with vegetables. (I hardly ever manage to cook, or to eat vegetables)

Will you continue to rest? I hope so...at least, I know you have your helper coming on Thursday.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done re the cooking @NatureLover . I had some Thai veggie fritters tonight... they were very tasty. From the meat substitute display at Woolies. I cooked more veg but they'd be nice with a bag of salad mix.

My pdoc was lovely. He rang back the same day and suggested increasing my med to be on the safe side.

Busy day today but it was partly "me" time as I got a haircut. I have stuff planned just about every day this week and no clue when or how or what to declutter.

I hope your volunteer job went well.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Dimity .


@Dimity wrote:

My pdoc was lovely. He rang back the same day and suggested increasing my med to be on the safe side.


Am impressed - do you mean he rang you back on the Sunday?

It sounds like you have a busy week and no time to declutter this week! Apart from Thursday when I assume your helper is coming...

I'm eating raisin toast covered with Promite for breakfast 😄 Are you vegetarian like me?

I haven't planned out my day yet or psyched up for any decluttering. I will do my morning routine (it takes an hour) and then see.

Hope your day is successful 🙂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @NatureLover . I spoke to my pdoc Friday and was grateful for his follow-up.

I eat very little meat but I'm not strictly vegetarian. I do admire vegans...

I'm so tired atm I'm having trouble writing. I hope you have a good day tomorrow. Take care.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Dimity Sorry to hear how exhausted you were /are feeling...how did you sleep last night?

I admire vegans too. I went vegan for 2 years but it was too hard.

My house has got cluttered again with bags on the floor, but the kitchen bench is still clear.

Is your helper coming today? When will things slow down for you a bit?

Sending care 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

What about eggs @Dimity ?

Do you eat eggs? They are nature's best multi vitamin. With iron, zinc, and stacks of other co nutrients for ultimate absorption and digestibility...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry to hear about the clutter @NatureLover . I have some kitchen clutter too as I bought some packets on impulse instead of sticking to my list.

Things should now ease up for a while. I'm still catching up on sleep and other things. My helper came but we just talked.

Let's try to be kind to ourselves. We've actually achieved some clearances in the last little while and when we're ready, we can do it again.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes @Kyle1 I had eggs tonight

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