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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!

6457 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?

@tyme I agree, it's nice choosing new sheets and bedding, and important to take your time finding a nice set I reckon. I hope your new bed is firm enough!

You're right, the checks and inspections make me tidy up, but my germophobia gets pretty bad when people come inside my house and walk on the carpet in shoes that might have been in a public toilet or a germy hospital or clinic, and touch things in my home and breathe in the air when they might have Covid or a cough. I spend hours cleaning up afterwards...it's very stressful.

That's why I tend to meet friends out at cafes...I only ever have abolutely necessary people in my house.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oooo @NatureLover ,

I never thought of that about when people step into other houses with shoes.

Makes sense 🙂

Hope you have a good week.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I think beds and pillows are worth the investment because it can make a huge difference in terms of how well one sleeps.

I tend to change pillows every year or so. I throw out the old ones. Only thing is it's hard to get the 'same' pillow once I find a good one. If it's good, I need to buy a few. I've just found a good one, so I'm going to buy a few for storage. @Dimity @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Great idea to buy a few pillows of the one you're happy with! @tyme

(Says the hoarder 😂 )

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Dropping in Love 💕

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry to hear you haven't yet found a soap/cleanser that suits @NatureLover . Hopefully you can catch the interludes of sunshine.

Yes my storage is difficult and expensive but I don't have a deadline, just the sense i do have to resolve it. Fingers crossed you'll get plenty of notice about your neighbour's decision.

It's a pity if people don't respect your policy of leaving shoes at the door - I think it's quite a common practice these days.

I'm trying to press ahead and deal with a few things but may need a change of med. Do you have any plans for tomorrow?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Aww, thank you, @Anastasia ! Same back to you! ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

So lovely to see you on here, @Dimity ❤️

My skin has been less itchy the last day or so. So I might keep this soap on the list, a bit further down, as it's a bit cheaper. I've prioritised the soaps I'm trialling in terms of itchiness. The least itchy are of course the most expensive! I have 2 more soaps to trial, then I will decide on one or two soaps to buy for future.

I hadn't realised you were paying for your storage. That does put pressure on, as it's expensive I've heard.

Will you go to the GP for a med review?

I'm going to the GP shortly today to get a tetanus injection - just a refresher which is due, plus a MHCP. I dread going to the GP clinic, which I always assume is germy. I'm glad to be knocking off 2 birds with one stone though - that means one less visit needed.

Thanks for your good wishes. I hope things improve for you 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I hope your gp visit went smoothly @NatureLover . I'm waiting for the flu vaccine to come in to get it and also deal with an old health problem. It's my psychiatrist who might start me on the new med.

If you're keeping notes about the soaps you're trialling maybe you could note how long they last in case a good but expensive soap is better value than you expect. I think you said you don't like liquid soap substitutes.

I hope I hear my morning alarms tomorrow, I've often slept through but I need to be up for the lawnmowing.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, my GP appt went well and I got the flu vaccine as well as the tetanus.

Of course, I forgot you had your psychiatrist. When do you see them next?

You've got a good memory that I prefer bars of soap. Yes, am noting how long the soaps last.

I feel so slow and heavy today, work's not looking likely. I hope your alarms wake you 🤞 and you can have a better day...

@Dimity

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