FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Our stories

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!

6448 replies

341 - 350 of 6,448

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover I hope the day improves for you hour by hour.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Escaped_Goat wrote:

@NatureLover I'm around if you need any extra support.


Thank you, that's kind. I seem to be doing OK so far...did a little tidying. I agree that putting too much pressure on yourself (or myself) to 'perform' or get things done is detrimental.

It sounds like you're having a very productive day! Do you have sunshine there? We do! Yay!

@Escaped_Goat

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, same to all of you @Escaped_Goat @NatureLover @Former-Member

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

We have a lot of sun and wind! I went out... without copious checking... just a once around like a regular person.. do regular people check? 😂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Escaped_Goat well done on going out without much checking! That's great to hear.


@Escaped_Goat wrote:

@NatureLover I hope the day improves for you hour by hour.


Thank you, that's sweet of you.

I'm about to go out for a walk before lunch. On days when I struggle, I sometimes use the 10-minute system - do tidying for 10 minutes, then rest for 10 minutes...it works for me (mostly). Today I'm using a half-an-hour system. I might lie down after lunch so might not be around for a few hours. Hope your afternoon goes well and you get done what you want to.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Escaped_Goat wrote:

.. do regular people check? 😂


I admit that I don't. I will check the door is locked if I leave the house, but that's about all. Or I might occasionally check the stove is off. I do the counting thing a little more.

@Escaped_Goat

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover I'm about done as far as chores so anything else is just whatever... oh I have the jeans still but I can do those while I watch tv. New season of Working Moms. Funny show.

Have a good nap!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Escaped_Goat wrote:

Have a good nap!


Thanks! I don't usually sleep in the daytime, just lie down, rest and read novels. I also had <gasp> a second cup of coffee today! That's unheard of for me. I couldn't drink it like you do.

I'm impressed that you scrubbed your shower early this morning...I need to psych myself up to do that. I threw out my 1 item today and did a bit of tidying and some laundry. How has your day been? @Escaped_Goat

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Sounds like a good day. Especially the extra coffee! 😂

My day was pretty good... did everything I planned on. Failed the eat healthy... well.. I ate healthy but had chocolate on top. Semi-failed. I still have button holes to do on the pinafore I'm sewing for my granddaughter but I'm not great at them... my machine doesn't do them automatically. I decided to leave them for the morning when I'm clearer headed.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?


@Escaped_Goat wrote:

@NatureLover Sounds like a good day. Especially the extra coffee! 😂


I'll let you know tomorrow if I can't sleep a wink tonight!

That's a successful day @Escaped_Goat if you did everything you planned on. Well done 🙂

341 - 350 of 6,448