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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?

@Dimity Thanks for your kind encouragement. I do have to tackle the house this weekend though. The kitchen is approaching non-functional.

I'm also glad you felt well enough to walk to the shops 🙂

By reimagining the consequences, do they mean reframing it to the benefits of letting go rather than the losses?

Papers are slow difficult work, you're right. Tax too! Good luck...

A friend gave me an old unused raised garden planter box on wheels today. I need to build it this weekend (it's a flat pack) as I want to plant silverbeet. It would be nice to pop out and pick some green leaves to add to soups or pasta, and give me some nutrition.

It's raining now, so does this mean you won't get a walk today? I know you like to walk in the late afternoon / evening...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Your own silverbeet sounds good @NatureLover . My kitchen was non-functional too.

I don't know the details of the USydney therapy but I think they said it was related to CBT.

I did walk, there were just a few spots of rain. The walk is very important to me but my low fitness is frustrating. There was a lot of litter but I haven't managed a litter pick up since my setback in April.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It sounds like your kitchen is functional again now? @Dimity

I wonder if you'll get in a walk today...heavy rain here, plus some wild weather on the way.

I imagine picking up litter would be hard on your back.

I'm not going out today, other than picking my moment with no rain to get the bins in. Reading, laundry, tidying today hopefully.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

My kitchen is a daily effort @NatureLover . Or should be.

I didn't walk yesterday. Very wet. All the bins were left with lids open so I had to upend them to tip the water out.

My NBN isn't working so I'm limiting my time online. Good luck with your efforts.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm sorry to hear your NBN isn't working 😣 Is that due to the heavy rain we've had? @Dimity I know rain affects ours.

Was that tough on your back, to have to tip the water out of the bins?

I am setting myself a 3 hour goal today on the house: 30 mins on each area. Well, there's only 3 rooms in my small house, but the kitchen benches and the kitchen floor each need work, ditto the lounge-room.

I'm late getting started but I figure if I set a goal of 3 hours and only end up doing 2, that's still good.

Good luck with your tasks today...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , any news on your NBN getting fixed?

I managed 2 hours' work yesterday, but not on the kitchen which is the most needed. Today I will try again, plus attempt to build the portable garden planter I was given.

Hope you are coping...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done on the 2 hours @NatureLover . I didn't get much done yesterday - perhaps an hour.

The NBN tech could arrive from 8am tomorrow which means an uncharacteristic early start for me. I'm feeling ashamed to have them given the state of the house. I'm feeling very apprehensive. I haven't actually seen anyone I know for over 2 months and apart from a call from my psychiatrist it's 3 weeks since I spoke with anyone.

Good luck for your efforts today.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done on your hour, @Dimity . That's more than I usually do.

I understand being apprehensive about the state of your house with a technician coming in. Or is it social apprehension as well?

Good luck with your To Do list today, and with getting up early tomorrow...

If you want to chat I'll be here, if your mobile phone service allows it.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I guess social apprehension as well @NatureLover .

Hope you're having some success today I've done 1 1/2 hrs so far and intend to continue after lunch.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

You're on a roll, @Dimity ! 🙂

Yes, I guess it would make you anxious. I hope it goes better than you expect, tomorrow morning.

I've only done 1/2 hour so far, but I did some sewing (mending) prior to that, which doesn't count as cleaning and tidying. Still haven't tackled the kitchen.

I don't feel in the mood to tackle building the garden planter today - apparently it's tricky to build. So I will work inside, apart from my usual afternoon walk / time in nature.

I hope your afternoon's tidying goes well and you have the energy...

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