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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?

Hi @tyme , thank you so much for visiting and checking in, I really appreciate it.

I've only started to improve in the last 48 hours, after a month being sick. I've got permission to go back to work on Monday, yay! (With a mask on)

Yes, sunshine here too - very cheering!

Hope things have improved for you 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It's wonderful you're ready and able to go back to work @NatureLover . Perhaps the asthma is a hangover from your initial illness..

My cold is very mild really, and I don't expect it to last long at all. It doesn't warrant a trip to the doctor.

Yes Sunday was a gathering with extended family, and I met new connections as well as catching up with someone I hadn't seen for a couple of years who wants to mend bridges.

I'm behind on my decluttering and have a lot to do so as not to waste another session with my helper.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes, bad asthma is a result of a cold or flu. Both during and after. It can last for many weeks after the cold has finished.

I didn't think my cold would last long either! So I didn't go to the doctor early on. Which I regret.

It sounds like the gathering was positive. Do you want to mend bridges with that person too?

Good luck with your decluttering. When does your helper next come?

@Dimity

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sending lots of love to you @NatureLover 💚💛💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks so much, @Eve7 ❤

Same back atcha 💛

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm neutral re "reconciliation" @NatureLover and would be happy to just remain on speaking terms.

I'll see my helper Thursday. I pottered today and got through some chores but didn't progress the decluttering much. There's medical admin stuff to do too - more forms.

You'll have the weekend to gear up for work on Monday. You'll probably have to reorient yourself and assess the backlog - you won't get it all done the first day, but that's OK.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Best wishes for work @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for your good wishes, @Dimity . Am feeling down so who knows how work will go. And yes, it will take many weeks to catch up.

Good luck with your medical forms and decluttering 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I trust you're OK @NatureLover and not too tired or wheezy. Perhaps being back at work lifted your spirits? I hope so.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , yes, being back at work lifted my spirits - thanks.

I was worried about doing lots of asthma coughing due to talking on the phone - talking can be a trigger for asthma - but luckily my phone wasn't working!

How are you feeling? How is the decluttering going?

Being sick for a month has meant I've got out of routine with being on the forums 😣

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