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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?

How are you feeling today, @Dimity ? Concerned for you... 🫂

I see your thread has been taken over. I think that that seems to be the aim of the new format. I don't think it works, myself.

Had dentist today, plus 2 more dentist appts coming up over the next month.

Sending wishes for your depression...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done on braving the dentist @NatureLover I know you dread it. But very necessary for your health and well-being.

Don't worry, I'm safe thanks. Depressed, worried, fearful but safe. Family stuff. Can't think my way through difficulties and cancelled psychologist, perhaps unwisely.

One of my roses is out, and the yellow irises, and the native frangipani. I'll try to get back into the garden soon.

In the house, the clutter is looming - I'll have to get back to nibbling away at it, but I'm fearing things might go badly wrong before I can deal with it.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry to hear @Dimity . Hope it will be resolved. We are here if you need a chat.

@NatureLover - thinking of you. Hope the dentist appointments will be okay for you. Not the most pleasant sometimes.

@Dimity @NatureLover , have you been able to get out this week to do something nice for yourselves?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks @tyme yes I've been wanting to call but don't know what to say.

I'm enjoying the Spring garden as I go in and out but haven't tended to it for a while. Lovely colours and scents.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm glad you're safe, but sorry you feel so awful, @Dimity 😣


@Dimity wrote:

...but I'm fearing things might go badly wrong before I can deal with it.


I'm wondering what this means? Am concerned...

The dentist went OK thanks.


@Dimity wrote:

One of my roses is out, and the yellow irises, and the native frangipani.


This sounds really beautiful 🙂

I am really enjoying the sunny weather. Rain for a couple of days from tomorrow though. No sign of a new neighbour yet.

Hope you are OK...well, that you are coping 🫂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , how are you feeling today?

Your thread is too much for me in its current state - not enough of *you* in there, so if you've posted news there, I haven't read it.

I enjoyed the fact that I could be outside today, as I expected it to rain most of the day. Were you up to going for a walk?

My house is messy. We have a new neighbour who seems nice. Not sure yet if he's a smoker, as he only moved in today.

I've been awake since 1.50am this morning. Hope to rectify that tonight.

Hope you're coping 🤞

Sending care.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @NatureLover. No I haven't posted any news to the other thread so you haven't missed anything.

Sorry to hear you didn't sleep. Hope you're able to catch up, and otherwise OK.

I just came in from a walk in the rain. It was heavier than I'd expected, and a bit thundery.

My place is messy too. I made an effort with cleaning today but don't feel on top of it yet.

I've probably been catastrophising but family stuff keeps happening and I haven't been able to cope with it.

The upcoming Council elections have been a bit of a distraction. I've taken an interest in the campaigns and done some lobbying.

How are you going with your new shelving? Is it helping?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sounds like you got wet yesterday @Dimity ? Hope you could stay dry today.

Well done on the cleaning and the lobbying.

I understand not coping, although of course I don't know your family situation. 🫂 I feel for you.

Yes, the new shelving is really helping! I'm enjoying having it.

This is very late for me; normally I'd be asleep by now in winter (or before the clocks change).

I feel very virtuous as I spent the whole day sewing (mending clothes by hand, adding elastic, etc). Very rare for me to do sewing.

I hope you are OK 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done @NatureLover. I've given up on sewing.

Yes I did get wet yesterday but the rain was refreshing. It was lighter today when I ventured out, thinking it had stopped. At least it didn't soak through my jacket this time.

Today I sorted socks and hosiery, a big job as I'd lost track and kept buying. I consolidated from different drawers and places and now don't seem to have room to put them away.

Hope you have a good day tomorrow. I'm very glad the new shelving has worked out, it's a significant step forwards.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done on consolidating socks and hosiery, @Dimity . I hope you can find / create a place for them.

That's one problem of course - having to move other things to make room.

I'm really upset - my new neighbour is a smoker. 😭 It's essential for my MH to sit outside in nature, and I haven't been able to do that for 4 years, due to my old neighbour smoking every 15 minutes. Now this. I can't seem to get over it.

I hope your day goes OK today.

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