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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?

@NatureLover I do feel additional pressure from having the helper - it keeps me accountable.

Today I cleaned and decluttered for 4 hours, and walked and exercised as well. I lifted boxes I shouldn't lift. Very tired and sore. Yes, pleasant weather.

There's been pressure from family to do something like a Swedish death clean but I can't go that minimal in the first instance. Anyway I'd like to reclaim my life, not discount it.

Hoping you're feeling on top of things at home and work - and catching up.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity ... So the pressure from the helper is a good thing?

WOW about your efforts yesterday! A huge Well Done! Have you been sore today?

I'm sorry you're getting that pressure from your family. That seems severe. 😥

Had a good day at work but still coughing with asthma.

Do you have a date to start with your new psychologist yet?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It's a worry that your asthma is still persisting @NatureLover . I hope it eases soon.

I've suffered from yesterday's efforts, and my helper cancelled anyway, so doubly disappointing.

Family pressures and conflicts are tearing me apart, and are escalating.

I see the new psychologist Wednesday. She will be very expensive.

I hope you're going OK, your illness seems to have eclipsed your usual challenges but I'm sure they wouldn't have gone away.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Dimity .

Sorry to hear your helper cancelled 😣 and especially about the impact of the family issues on you 😥 So sorry to hear.

Will the new psychologist be expensive even with the MHCP? 😥 I am sending wishes that you get off to a good start with her tomorrow 🤞

I forgot to tell you, I built the remaining set of shelves from the Reject Shop. They now take the overflow groceries from my kitchen floor! I still have a few bags on the kitchen floor with stuff from Bunnings and Officeworks, plus library books. But it's good news.

There is now not a centimetre of space left in my house for anything. Not for furniture or items. So as you can imagine, receiving presents gets very stressful. However, in answer to your kind observation, one of my challenges has gone away with the building of the grocery shelves, thankfully.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done re the shelves @NatureLover .

One day I'll look into sorting my kitchen cupboards but that's not a priority at present.

Yes the new psychologist charges more than double the Medicare rebate. I'm second guessing my decision to try it. I'll also have to deal with Medicare myself as she doesn't do it.

Space and the lack of it. And stuff can expand and multiply to fill every nook and cranny. I was tidying today but was stumped as to where to store my gardening gloves. Such a little thing.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hey @Dimity @NatureLover @Eve7 @Shaz51 @Lostsoul30 ,

How are my dear friends. I was passing through to see how the decluttering etc has been going. It sounds like a busy place here!

@NatureLover , had your asthma improved?

@Zoe7 , how's your hand?

@Dimity , you sound super productive!

@Eve7 - I read about your athletes training - please look after yourself.

@Shaz51 , how are you this week?

@Lostsoul30 , I'm not sure we have met, but it's good to say hello anyway - hello!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

You're probably about to sign of @tyme but I wanted to thank you for the tag.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hey @Eve7 🙂

I read a little update from you on the forums (somewhere). Nice to hear from you.

So you still have studies?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , did you find somewhere to store your gardening gloves?

And how did your first appt with your new psychologist go? Do you think you'll get along?

I had to have an IT man to the house last Friday plus yesterday, as I did something to lock myself out of my documents. I haven't received a bill yet but no doubt it'll be a fright.

I am slowly catching up a bit at work.

Hoping your family pressure eases 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for popping in and for calling us "dear friends" @tyme ❤

Still got the bad asthma, some days are worse than others.

Hope you are OK.

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