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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?


@Dimity wrote:

Oh @NatureLover I'm sorry to hear you've got so much happening and you're struggling. Your psychologist definitely let you down. All that stress wouldn't be helping your levels of inflammation or even your memory. How are you sleeping? I hope you can rest well between onslaughts. I'm happy to support you if sharing helps. I do look forward to your posts and wisdom, which often make me reconsider - it's refreshing.


Thanks for your kind words @Dimity ❤️

Does itchiness mean inflammation, generally?

Good luck this week with your burdens and the house... 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry it’s been so difficult for you @NatureLover 😞

hoping you manage to get a cancellation appointment with your psychologist.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Bow

Hope you have a good day with your daughter today.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover it is so hard with family and them understanding our MI. Sometimes you just have to tell them straight out.

I'm sorry things are so super hard for you.

Please remember we are here for you through all the good and bad times.

Sending lots of love 💜💜

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover, asking to be put on the cancellation list sounds like a good idea. I really hope you can get in to see your psych soon and find healing in it. I hope kinder days are to come 💖🫂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hugs @NatureLover it's hard to focus when we're miserable but selfcare and finding distractions are important. It's good if you can be open with your brother but perhaps things go back a long way with your mother and are outside of your control - but still hurtful and triggering. I hope your psychologist can advise and help.

Yes if your skin goes from itchy to red and sore it's inflamed and might need the gp to look at it. I found a tiny tube of prescription ointment can give great relief.

I hope you feel well enough to work tomorrow - and that your psychologist can fit you in. Take care, and I hope you feel better soon.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you so much for your caring message, dear @Snowie ❤️

It's funny, I'm quite open about my MIs usually, but with family there's all these hang-ups.

I'm a bit calmer today thankfully, and have reconciled with my brother.

Thanks again ❤️

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, caring words @creative_writer ❤️

How are you doing?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you for your kind words and hugs, dear @Dimity ❤️

I feel calmer this morning and a bit stronger. I managed to go to work yesterday and I think it did me good - allowed me to focus on other things and to feel more in control and back in routine a little.

Today I have a second appt for that MHCP and I hope the GP will agree to it. My psychologist has assured me she's emailed the letter to her. After that I hope to tackle goodness knows what in the house - something, anything!

My hands are soooo itchy so I will stop the QV soap trial today. I will keep the soap though, to trial again a second time down the track, in case it's not that. It looks like I will have to go to the GP about the itchiness soon, but that will probably mean a referral to a dermatologist by the sounds of it, and I've had too many doctors appts and germ exposures lately so am putting it off.

Today your helper is coming - I will be interested to see what she says about the room she wanted you to clear over the last week. Do you have a plan for your time with her today?

I hope it goes well... sending 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm glad you're feeling better in yourself @NatureLover although your hands are so troublesome. I trust your MHCP went through.

Today I took some stuff to the opshop and started on a box of papers... all from the spare room. So I'm trying even if I hadn't done much. My helper looked at the piles of craft stuff in the living room that hadn't moved in the last week and asked about them but I'm not sure what to do with them other than work through them or stash them back in a wardrobe, maybe doing one project at a time. It's so long since I've done any.

I feel I'd like to get into the garden but I've probably lost the opportunity for a couple of days weather-wise. More time for the dreaded paperwork I guess.

Good luck with your efforts in the house. Did you manage anything today?

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