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Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

NatureLoverSenior Contributor12 Apr 2020, 12:00 pm AEST

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?

NatureLoverSenior Contributor15 Mar 2024, 6:43 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@creative_writer wrote:
We separate outside clothes from home clothes. The idea of going into bed with clothes I wore on public transport and uni makes me gag

Me too! I have my "going out" clothes and my "at home" clothes separate. I tend to wash my going out clothes every time after I wear them too.

And I use sanitiser after touching any doorhandles of shops, do you?

@creative_writer

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

creative_writerSenior Contributor16 Mar 2024, 12:36 pm AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover, it comes down to the type of clothing if they get washed after wear. I don’t think things like coats or jackets would hold up well when washed too often. Those clothing get hung up on a rack.

I don’t use as much sanitiser as I used to, still use it though. I’ve been trying to normalise, but I probably am still one of those few people who carries around sanitiser

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor18 Mar 2024, 7:22 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@creative_writer Yes, I have a rack where I hang my "going out" clothes too if I don't wash them. Mostly I wash them, but not always - it depends how high my triggers are.

I have lots of sanitiser in my bag and car and house. I also still wear masks while shopping too.

Do you wear masks in the bus?

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

creative_writerSenior Contributor18 Mar 2024, 11:52 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover if only coats and jackets could survive more frequent cleaning, I would wash more often. Base layers get washed.

I was literally the only person I saw the other evening during a social event sanitiser. My family did ask for some of my sanitiser though. I didn’t want to eat without first sanitising my hands because it felt gross otherwise. I know other people probably don’t care.

I used to wear mask on public transport but would end up nauseous, so I had to give it up. The mask wearing while travelling can make me feel migrainey and nauseous

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor20 Mar 2024, 8:08 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@creative_writer wrote:
I used to wear mask on public transport but would end up nauseous, so I had to give it up. The mask wearing while travelling can make me feel migrainey and nauseous

Ah yes, that makes sense, although I'm sorry to hear @creative_writer .

I think it's basic hygiene to wash hands or sanitise hands before we eat.

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

scruffypuffballSenior Contributor28 Mar 2024, 10:28 pm AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover well i did the vaccuuming last week, the whole house after like, months. I dont know where i got the spoons. I hope you have been well. I see Dimity is having a break. Sending blessings. 🙏

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

NatureLoverSenior Contributor29 Mar 2024, 7:13 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Congratulations on doing all that vacuuming! @scruffypuffball

Nice to see you here. Yes, I miss @Dimity.

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

Shaz51Senior Contributor29 Mar 2024, 11:05 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover , @scruffypuffball , @creative_writer , @Dimity

How are we going today

Doing nothing here , second cuppa xx

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

scruffypuffballSenior Contributor29 Mar 2024, 11:09 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Shaz51 @NatureLover @creative_writer @Dimity

coming down from a bout of anxiety due to work over last 2 weeks. some personal stuff as well. I promised myself I would have a quiet weekend with self care. I hope i can prevail. I will start with pancakes for breakfast. cheap and easy.

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

Shaz51Senior Contributor29 Mar 2024, 11:16 am AEDT

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

One step at a time @scruffypuffball , pancakes sounds like a good start to the weekend my friend 🧡

What things do you enjoy doing , hobbies

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SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.

SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.