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!

6457 replies

4,101 - 4,110 of 6,457

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @tyme I’m lying low today, I think my period is about to start. How are you?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

My first day back after a long time so I'm just catching up on SANE life 🙂 @creative_writer 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?

@tyme I’m amazed by how many people you support on here. I get overstimulated when I have too many notifications to get through.

It’s rather cold in Melbourne today too. I think my body is preparing for winter, I am all wrapped up

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I love being tagged and getting notifications @tyme , @creative_writer , @NatureLover , @scruffypuffball

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Shaz51 @tyme @NatureLover and @scruffypuffball, I love being tagged too because it shows how caring everyone is on here and I love talking to you all💖, but I also get overstimulated too, so gotta take those breaks

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Lol @creative_writer , every time I log on, I have 99+ notifications, so I don't get to notifications until later. I generally attend to what is in the moderation queue, then emails, and the notifications at the end.

However, I don't like to forget people. I want to be able to follow through with the support. It's important as part of trauma-informed care.

I have to set boundaries though and tell myself that my job is not to 'fix' people, but to rather, sit with members and walk with them along their MH journey.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@tyme we also have to set boundaries around working during scheduled time like a job and sometimes that’s hard. It does make sense to strategise what needs more urgent attention. I think even the smallest things like a check in can make a huge difference

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Very true @creative_writer , @tyme 😀

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Shaz51 sometimes I do need time away from the forums, but I’ll always be back 🙂. I think that’s perfectly human

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh yes @creative_writer , I agree

We all need some time away from the forum xx

4,101 - 4,110 of 6,457