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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?

Wow @NatureLover fantastic effort.

Sorry to hear about your online buying urges... I used to buy more books than I needed online and shopped compulsively for craft and stationery.

I've still got the afternoon ahead of me, so will stir my stumps.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover I worked outside for over an hour and walked for half an hour... but I really need to work inside too... maybe tomorrow. I feel as though I'm pedalling without getting anywhere as I can't put in enough time. I should get back to doing some every day.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , I'm late writing to you today - it's 4pm! But I made myself work till all the kitchen floor was clear. Some of it is in boxes to put in the shed - 7 bags or boxes, all labelled. It's raining at the moment so I'll put them in later.

It was a struggle today. I also did the washing up (a rare event).


@Dimity wrote:

@NatureLover I worked outside for over an hour and walked for half an hour... but I really need to work inside too... maybe tomorrow. I feel as though I'm pedalling without getting anywhere as I can't put in enough time.


I think this was a good effort when you have low energy. I understand how you feel about not enough time...you have to ration your energy.

It sounds like you understand about compulsive buying urges. Was it tough to stop doing that? Have you kept all those books and craft things and stationery?

Thanks for your kind words. I still need to clean the bathroom basin and toilet so will keep going.

I hope you are going along OK today 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Just passing by with some love. I read your posts when they land in my email, I care. Well done for clearing the kitchen floor. 💕

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Congratulations on clearing the floor @NatureLover... but a bit sorry it's added to the backlog in the shed you'd worked so hard to reduce. Maybe it's just another stage in the process.

My compulsive buying phases are mostly well behind me, stopping after I dropped out from study and moved on from jobs. I've been giving stuff away. And there was the reality check that I'm not capable of the craft etc. Anyway, I simply can't afford to buy much these days.

Yesterday I tentatively started to go through some stuff in the livingroom. Back to square one again again.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks heaps, that really warmed my heart @Bow ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for your understanding words @Dimity ❤️

I've decided that after my rental inspection I'm going to bring one box a week out of the shed to process and get rid of. There's not a square inch of space left in my house so I will pretty much be disposing of all the contents of the boxes, unless I make some space by throwing out something in the house.

Thanks for explaining how you stopped your compulsive buying.


@Dimity wrote:

Yesterday I tentatively started to go through some stuff in the livingroom. Back to square one again again.


How did that go yesterday? Well done for starting again 👍

I hope today with your helper goes well...thinking of you...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover I didn't explain that whenever I changed jobs I was no longer in proximity to the places I was buying from...

Yes it's hard re bringing in boxes and then prioritising stuff.

Today was wasted really. My helper isn't really helping much, it feels a bit hopeless. Tomorrow I see my gp but I'm not expecting much from her either.

It's nice the evenings are a little longer. I hope your light therapy is helping too.

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:

My helper isn't really helping much, it feels a bit hopeless.


Sadly I had got that impression. Do you think you'll continue with her? It's been, what...about 2 months? Or does the agency have other helpers available?

Yes, I think the daily light therapy is helping. Also the iron tablets that the GP told me to buy - I think I have more energy. I'm definitely enjoying the tidy house and am thinking how nice it would be to live like this all the time.

I'm sorry that yesterday was wasted for you. I hope today feels more hopeful and you have an idea of what to tackle. Also that your GP appt goes better then you expect... I am here for you 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

You’re a winner @NatureLover and I know you will achieve your goals to clear those boxes in the shed.

Sending lots of love

💚💛💚

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