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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?

Surgery fall psychosis and being bedbound for 2 1/2 weeks.

Is it possible for you to walk 10 minutes a day - out the gate and a smidgen along the street @NatureLover ? That's what I'd aim for. I'll need to start again too.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

It sounds like a nightmare 3 weeks, @Dimity 😥

I figure watering is enough walking. It takes me 2 1/2 hours to do front and back, a lot of it walking with watering cans. Of course I don't usually do it all on the one day, it's too much.

Did the hospital change your psych meds?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover first my psychiatrist (I got in touch with him) then he & the psych hospital increased my dose. I'm not used to it yet.

I used to walk as well as chores

- I figured a stint of walking was good to get some rhythm in legs and heart and lungs

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes, I expect the increased meds will take some getting used to, @Dimity .

I am very reluctant to add to my arthritis pain by walking.

Today I have watering and lots of errands, and it looks nice and sunny out.

Thinking of you with your review today...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry to hear your arthritis is so bad

@NatureLover . You have many challenges.

I can reduce my meds again a little and go home. I decided on tomorrow morning rather than this afternoon. I'll have a lot to catch up on. I'm still unsteady on my feet so will pace myself.

So tomorrow I'll begin again.

Best wishes to you and your garden, and the neighbour's pots. You must really love your plants. I hope the tomatoes are continuing to bear for you.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thinking of you both @Dimity @NatureLover 🙂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

That's good news you can go home this morning, @Dimity !

Maybe you're already home. 👍 I hope you can get help to pick up your cat soon.

I do love my plants. I enjoy watering the garden, there's just a lot of it. The mini tomatoes are finished I think, but I have about 7 large tomatoes that don't seem to be ripening. However the bushes are starting to brown.

I hope you can take it easy at home, especially since you are still wobbly on your feet.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks @NatureLover . Yes I got home before lunch. I've cycled through a couple of panics but have done some small tasks and walked to the corner (10 mins). You'll appreciate that was a plus for me.

My nephew is helping me pick up Tiger.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hope your tomatoes ripen. I'll have cherry tomatoes tonight...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Wow, you went on a 20 minute walk! @Dimity

Am so pleased your nephew is helping you to pick up Tiger this afternoon.

Sorry to hear about the panics, though. Were they because you're not sure how you'll cope at home?

Please let me know if there's anything I can do.

How was your garden when you got home - is it still alive?

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