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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?

You decided to make a therapist appt? @Dimity I hope that goes well 🤞

Well done on cooking a good meal. And for recognising you're doing as much as you can physically.

I haven't been rigorous in my cleaning. Going to try again today. Got so much to do that I don't know where to start. I think I might start in the bedroom and work my way room by room. See how much I get done.

I hope you enjoy your day of rest and reflection.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover good luck with your cleaning and tidying. You say "Got so much to do that I don't know where to start." That's a familiar feeling, I know it well.

I've done some cleaning and now dread moving onto decluttering. I'll try to do it mindfully but it's ages since I've found my zen.

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 cleaning @Dimity .

Good luck with any decluttering.

I accidentally shaved off one eyebrow this morning! 😂 I had the trimmer set to "short" instead of "long" 😂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh no @NatureLover ! I hope it regrows quickly. Years ago an eye surgeon cut off my eyelashes on one eye.

I've done some decluttering and will try to bring it to an hour.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

The decluttering is so hard @NatureLover . I've sorted a few things to donate or ditch but there's mountains of old craft and computer media to work through.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh gosh, @Dimity ! Was that deliberate? (Cutting off your eyelashes)

I'm not sure what you mean by "computer media"?

Yes, the mountains of old stuff is so daunting 😣

I feel overwhelmed today so am still lying down after my walk, trying to gather courage. I need to go out for errands too. Am not going back to work till all the sick people are better /stay away.

I'm still on chores, not even thinking about decluttering at the moment.

Hope your day goes well.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I think cutting my eyelashes was to reduce infection risk @NatureLover .

Floppy disks, cd-roms, usb's, hardware...

Hope you find strength and courage.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Ah, I see, re both, @Dimity 👍

Thanks. I got my courage up and have been doing cleaning and tidying, but no courage yet for leaving the house.

I hope you're feeling strong 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 the cleaning and tidying @NatureLover . Is the prospect of going out the scary part, or is it in actually being out? I get apprehensive beforehand and sometimes feel nervous and disoriented when out. But I doubt I have actual agoraphobia.

I saw the physio and have been cleared to do a bit more but no digging or carrying buckets of water. So floor mopping is problematic.

I still feel a bit rattled by yesterday's decluttering, I'd forgotten how bad things are. I hadn't really done much for a long time.

So overall there's a lot more I should be doing. I don't think I'm up to it mentally or emotionally and am mulling the alternatives of medication, therapy or other support including social support.

Do you still feel vulnerable to burnout? I've been surprised by the extra work you've been doing. It's good you've started on the house again, too.

I feel sorry for your predicament with one eyebrow. I'd probably shave the other one to match!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I'm not too bothered about the missing eyebrow, @Dimity ! 😄 I don't think people really look that closely at one another. If I feel bothered then I'll draw /smudge one on for work.

Yes, it's good I've started on the house again. That feels good. I think the burnout is improving. Mainly as I've been resting so much.

I did manage to force myself out yesterday afternoon, just before the library closed. Got different errands to do today, including taking a box of old coins to the bank to exchange for notes.

I think it's both the prospect of going out plus actually being out. I worry I won't be able to make it home safely again. I didn't know you felt similar 😥

Can your council home help do the floor mopping? How often are they coming?

Sorry your decluttering rattled you. It doesn't sound like you have clutter-blindness, like I do?

Good luck with your therapy appt this week 🤞 I hope it's helpful.

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