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

4,451 - 4,460 of 6,457

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@Lostsoul30 @NatureLover @Dimity @tyme @Eve7 @Shaz51

I was at the shops and an old lady coughed and I moved away. Its just an instinctive thing i do... to everyone. Actually lots of people do it to me. She then started yelling at me unhinged:

Lady: "SHe MoVed awAY frOM Me BeCAUse I couGHed"

I tested her so I said as I was paying, "I work in a nursing home, if I catch it, I could unalive people" (Appealing to her conscience)

She yelled : "I HAd 4 inJECtions, MY SON had IT 4 TiMEs" (she doubled down, getting defensive)

I said calmly: "that's not good, you should be masking"

I paid then she ranted to the check out lady "THIS IS STUPID, this is stupid yak yak yak"

I said calmly as I walked out: "Youre stupid"

Sometimes when people see me in my mask they freak out and move away. I get offended too because our frontal lobes are designed to connect with other people and be accepted. But I can regulate myself afterwards and say "hey actually, they were being cautious, that is a good thing" and I get on with it. You are basically fighting your own instinctive wiring.

narcissists cannot regulate disappointment or rejection, so they escalate, like that lady did. The virus exploits our sociability. If we dont reckon with this, we will never defeat it.

@Lostsoul30I totally understand your need to protect yourself. I am exactly like that. I think my germophobia helps me too. it gave me the life skills I need to keep me safe. There is a whole covid conscious community out there doing the same thing. Dont feel bad about it. You are only looking after your health. I really missed this group. You are all such conscientious people, diligently testing and being careful. Some people to not do that or even punish you for doing the right thing. we dont live in denial. If you cant catch it you cant spread it. Think of how many people you are potentially saving. thank you for all you do.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I trust your eye check-up was satisfactory @NatureLover . It's important. Do you monitor your blood glucose closely?

No the surgery won't be October. Perhaps February now. I have mixed feelings about the postponement but maybe things have improved a bit so it's not as urgent.

I put a lot of effort into housework today but still need to catch up.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It sounds as though you're protecting your clients as much as yourself @scruffypuffball . Thankyou for caring.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Good morning @NatureLover ,

Dropping by with some love for you and hoping today goes well, How was your eye test?

💚💚💚💚💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you, lovely @Dimity @Eve7 @Snowie ❤

I spent 2 days back on track and now seem to have gone off the rails again.

I hope you are all OK 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry to.hear things aren't quite right @NatureLover . Has anything in particular gone wrong?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sending best wishes @NatureLover

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , thanks for your messages and for being a faithful friend. ❤ I appreciate you.

I'm sorry I haven't been there for you recently. How are you doing?

How often are your psychologist appts? Have you had a third one?

I had an iron infusion today for the first time. It went OK and I feel OK so far. There can be some scary side effects apparently.

I'm still living a not-good lifestyle...hoping to get back on track again tomorrow.

Sending good wishes...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover I hope you feel much better after your iron infusion. I had a friend who needed B12, she was very poorly.

I'm muddling on, not very successfully. I'm due to see the psychologist this week then would like to pause for a break.

Hopefully you'll feel much brighter and more energetic very soon.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hugs @Dimity , @NatureLover , @Eve7 , @scruffypuffball , @tyme

hope you feel better soon @NatureLover 😍

4,451 - 4,460 of 6,457