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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?

Hi @NatureLover. I haven't really settled on a regular interval for my psychologist. For a while it was every 7 weeks to eke out my mental health care plan. Monthly would be good.

Hope you accomplish the bags task. I'm not really more energised, just worried and wanting to make a difference. Yesterday I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped.

I wonder if you can soothe your skin with lotions or soap substitutes to help the itching and inflammation.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I agree about the mental health care plan...I tend to have my psychologist appts monthly but then there is a 2 month gap at the end of the year.

I'm not much good with lotions as they feel slimy to me. Soap substitutes might be a good idea though.

I feel down and want to go back to bed, but I have my volunteer job today.

Hope your day goes well @Dimity ...

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

Re: SeveraRe: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you for your sweet message, @Eve7 .

I risked 20 minutes of light therapy this morning as I don't feel like facing much today.

Surely you get lots of sunshine usually up there in Qld?

Hope your clothes culling went well. Thanks for popping in, I really appreciate it.

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

Re: SeveraRe: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hey @NatureLover I’m just checking up to see if you’re ok today.

Yes, the sun is shining today and clear blue sky. A friend went to Melbourne for the weekend and said it was only 10 and raining when they arrived…not good for you.

Take care, sending sunshine 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm sorry you felt down this morning @NatureLover . I hope being at work lifted your spirits. I've been feeling low too, and very anxious. With my activity tracker my daily goal is "clean/declutter/garden" for a time but for several days I've been catching up in the garden and avoiding the decluttering. My helper will be expecting to see progress and I know I need to press on. But it's a struggle. I remember that for many years I felt exhausted by Easter which I put down to seasonal demands at work, but maybe it's the change of season itself and a touch of SAD.

Let's hope for better days.

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

Re: SeveraRe: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you, dear @Eve7 for your lovely message which warmed my heart ❤️

Yes am really struggling, still can't use light box as skin is so itchy! Missed work on Monday. Thanks for thinking of me and sending sunshine, I really appreciate it.

Glad you have (had) sun up there 🙂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for your kind words @Dimity ❤️ I couldn't face work on Monday, really hoping I can face it tomorrow (Thursday). My skin seems to be getting even more itchy, so no light box therapy yet 😞

I'm sorry to hear you have possible SAD and have been down too. Plus your anxiety 😞

I know the pressure of a helper who expects to see progress between visits. Have you been able to face any decluttering? How is your mood today?

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

Re: SeveraRe: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Here’s a nice sunny day for you @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm sorry you're feeling so low @NatureLover . I hope you can work tomorrow. I used to get a pump pack of soapfree wash for dry skin for my late father from the pharmacy. It might be worth trying something similar.

I did some tidying yesterday but couldn't get onto it today. I don't know what I'll do tomorrow when my helper comes.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , how were you feeling yesterday? What did you decide to do when your helper came?

I was feeling low and all over the place yesterday - I even forgot which way to turn the tap to hot in the shower. But I made it in to work and stayed the whole day. Now 3 days at home and I need to work on the house desperately.

Are you helping your hoarder friend this weekend? I hope you can get some rest and garden therapy time for yourself too 💚

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