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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?

That's kind of your friend on the other side of the city, @Dimity . Are you sure you don't want to take her up on it? It blesses people to allow them to help.

Bit concerned that you'll have no help for the first few days after coming home 😥

Yes, am keeping up with the watering, including my neighbour's watering. Am leaving the bird netting off the tomatoes during the day. I noticed a few more tiny green tomatoes this morning.

This morning I need to pop to the supermarket, then home for the day. Not sure what to tackle...I guess I'll look at my list.

Not sure how one fixes a leaking hose reel, but good luck!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm glad more tomatoes are setting for you @NatureLover .

I have a task list too but I'm not getting through much. I think I've run out of steam.

Is your workplace air-conditioned? 42 is a shocking temperature but we've come to accept it.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh no, @Dimity ! Is it going to be 42? I had thought 37! That's way too hot to go to work 😥 But we're understaffed today, I really need to go in. Bugger!

(Yes, the workplace is airconditioned but the car will be boiling 😣 )

You've been working hard for weeks, so I'm not surprised you might've run out of steam. Do you have much on this week?

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?

We had rain this morning @NatureLover so it didn't heat up until later. I hope it wasn't too hot for you coming home.

Yes I have several appointments this week plus I need to go to the pharmacy and decide what I'm going to do about grocery shopping for the next couple of months... I had a problem with a delivery last week And I'll have to work out how to limit my hospital bag to meet the weight limit in case I'm coming home by myself and have to carry it. I speak to my friend so rarely I don't want to ask her for a lift. None of the family have offered.

I was a bit perturbed by a message from the social worker that indicated she hadn't been listening to me when I saw her. I hope I won't have to start again with hunting for a psychologist or other support.

I have another in-home assessment Thursday then home help Friday so need to straighten everything again. I know the clutter looks off-putting but I can't fix it all in time.

I guess neither of us achieved our wish of dealing with some boxes in January.

Good luck with whatever you're planning for tomorrow. I have 2 telehealth appointments.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It sounds like you have a very busy and stressful week, @Dimity . I hope it all goes well.

Also sorry that the social worker hasn't been listening 😣 Were you able to correct her?

You're right - no boxes were dealt with in January 😣

I have a social lunch and also am dropping some donations of clothes and objects off today. Feel very tired.

Good luck with your Telehealth appts 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 sorting and donating some clothes and objects @NatureLover . It all helps. I hope you enjoyed your social outing

I'm so tired I feel like going back to bed.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I reckon go back to bed, my dear friend. I did that this morning and slept for another 2 hours.

Thanks. I enjoyed the lunch but crashed while still sitting at the table after lunch (burnout). Had to leave.

Hope you can get some rest today.

@Dimity

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks @NatureLover . Apart from planting out 6 plants I had a lazy day. They may not survive next week unfortunately.

I'm having another home assessment tomorrow. It's a bit intimidating.

Best wishes for work tomorrow.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , how did your home assessment go today?

I was exhausted this morning but made it through my shift. Errands tomorrow.

Would any of your neighbours water your plants?

Hope you're coping...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done for persevering at work @NatureLover I know you've been struggling. Hopefully tomorrow's errands won't be too onerous but there's the effort of going out.

Well it seems I'm now registered for help with transport and social support but I'll need to summon the courage to use them.

Someone has offered to water for me but they haven't been well.

Tomorrow I'll have home help and a grocery delivery - I guess I'm still getting used to it all. I won't be allocated a regular home help until after I'm home from hospital. I feel a bit lost and am not sure how I'll be spending my time. Maybe I should draft a schedule.

Do you follow current affairs? I'm finding the news a bit worrying at the moment.

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