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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?

I always thought of the library as a safe space @NatureLover . I hope you can venture there... and if you drive it's not like taking public transport.

No, I'm not eligible for the SANE Guided Service. I do have a MHCP and I'm halfway through my allocated Medicare psychology sessions. I cancelled as I felt so lost, and I don't know whether I'll be able to go back.

Good night. I hope you get a good night's sleep.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @Dimity , @NatureLover , @Ru-bee . @tyme . @Eve7

how are you going today

we went for a drive this morning but back home again because of the march flies are really bad

No, I'm not eligible for the SANE Guided Service. sorry to hear that @Dimity

I was thinking of going for peer support worker but i am not eligible because of my location

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @Shaz51 sorry to hear about the March flies, they can be vicious.

You'd make a great peer support worker, you've had lots of experience doing it online.

It's nice and sunny here

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I don't know how I missed your reply, sorry @Dimity .

I wasn't sure whether you cancelled the new psychologist entirely, but it sounds like you might've cancelled just one session?

If you've cancelled her entirely, would that mean you'd be eligible for the SANE Guided Service? As you'd be without any form of professional support?

I ended up going to the library yesterday and grocery shopping. Yes, the library is usually a safe space for me too. I also was brave and sat outside today in the sun for about 40 minutes. Now hiding inside again.

Hope you are OK... 🤞 ...or coping...

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 up and about again @NatureLover .

I understand my postcode isn't eligible for the guided service.

Yes I cancelled a scheduled psychology appointment and I'm not sure if I'll go back.

It's good you could sit outside - I take it you weren't disturbed by dogs or cigarette smoke in that time. That's hopeful.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Awww @NatureLover @Dimity ,

Sounds like a lot is happening. I'm here to lend an ear if you need anything.

I recognise it's been rough for you lately.

Hugs to you both.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks for your kind words and hugs, @tyme

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm not really up and about properly. Apart from those 2 things, I've been hiding in bed.

The new neighbour works during the day, luckily.

I had no idea that postcodes affected eligibility for the Guided Service 😥. I'm really sorry to hear you're not eligible 😥

Good luck with your decision about whether or not to continue with that psychologist. It would be a tough one.

@Dimity

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Getting up and going out was quite an achievement then @NatureLover . Hope you were rewarded by a good choice of books.

Glad you'll be able to avoid your neighbour some days at least.

Do you have any plans for the weekend? I'll have to do some chores as household stuff has come to a halt.

Did you manage to catch up with your psychologist?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover ,

I've been thinking about you lately and meaning to drop by. Now, I've read back through your thread and seen you've been having such a hard time. I am so sorry about the neighbour's dog!! I am glad you went to the library and grocery shopping yesterday and realise that must have been a mammoth effort. I'm so proud of you and hope you can get lost in a book or two over the next few days to bring you to a calm place again.

Take care my dear friend xo

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