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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?

What a relief you found your bankcard @NatureLover . Well done on your tidying, it's very impressive. It's good you were able to look after yourself and rest this morning.

I did some pruning and some more shredding but wish I'd done more, I have a lot to catch up on.

Hopefully the cortisone cream will give you relief fairly quickly, especially if the new soap is also helping. Do you wear gloves when you're disinfecting everything?

Do you have a holiday tomorrow? I have no plans atm but hope to press on.

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 ❤️

Yes, the new soap is definitely helping. Re the disinfecting, I usually use those disinfecting wipes these days, and no, I don't wear gloves with them...

I'm planning to go in to work today to catch up on paperwork. If I don't go I'll get more behind and have to go in an extra day, which I don't want to do. I've kind of got the tidying bug now...my lounge-room looks so nice, plus I don't have to squeeze through the hallway, tripping over things! Hope the tidying bug stays around.

I hope you can catch the tidying bug...I'd give you some if I could. My pattern seems to be to do nothing for ages then do lots all at once, whereas your pattern is more steady, daily chipping away at it. I admire your perseverence.


@Dimity wrote:

I did some pruning and some more shredding but wish I'd done more, I have a lot to catch up on.


Sending you lots of good wishes for today...I hope you can do whatever preparation you need to for your helper tomorrow 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It must be nice to be inspired tidying-wise @NatureLover - it's great you've achieved so much in your hallway and lounge. Good luck now with the kitchen.

I've done some chores but lost track of the time again and haven't done everything I needed to. At least I've just about finished with a troublesome box of papers I started on a week ago. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity ,


@Dimity wrote:

At least I've just about finished with a troublesome box of papers I started on a week ago.


Well done! That is a big victory 👍

I haven't been practising my makeup for the black tie event...I'm actually scared of the mascara! I must do that today. I think I need 3 practices before the event on Saturday, and I probably need to practise the mascara every day. Eeek!

Other than that, I need to try and keep the lounge-room and hallway clear. After that, yes, tackle the kitchen. Thanks for your good wishes ❤️

Thinking of you and wishing you inspiration with your tidying, and that today goes better then you expect... 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Wishing you well today @NatureLover 💕

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Keep practising @NatureLover it will come good. I used to find mascara easier than eye-liner but don't wear make-up these days. I'm nervous of hair chemicals too since losing sight in one eye. Are you planning a manicure?

Today didn't go well. I guess there's always tomorrow.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks so much, @Bow ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Dimity wrote:

Today didn't go well. I guess there's always tomorrow.


Oh no, @Dimity ! Did it not go well with your helper? Was she not kind? Or were you having a non-coping day? Sorry to hear 😞


@Dimity wrote:

I'm nervous of hair chemicals too since losing sight in one eye.

Oh no 😞 Did hair chemicals contribute to this? 😮

My makeup practice was a disaster lol, so have booked another makeup lesson for this afternoon. A manicure is more than I can cope with, lol! And my hair is a lost cause. It's my natural colour but very thin, plus I tie it in knots which I then need to pull out. I had booked a hair appt for Friday but I cancelled it, as they would want to layer my hair to fix up the unevennness, and I need it long to self-soothe with. That's OK, the other things I'm doing will still be special - the makeup and the sequinned dress and the jewellery and the silver shoes. All those are unusual for me. Thanks for your interest ❤️

I'm sending good wishes for you to have a better day today and to feel stronger and more hopeful 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

You’re a beautiful soul @NatureLover 💚💜💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It sounds as though you're making a real effort for the black tie event @NatureLover . I so hope your make-up session this afternoon worked out as you'd wished. Maybe they could help you on the day??

Yesterday I didn't know what to do, and the cat was unwell and very fretful, and I revisited some old trauma. Today was better. There's still tomorrow. I'll try to chase up some paperwork.

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