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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?

I find music helps me when working, too.

Yes, I think 5 hours is too ambitious, for today at least. I feel pretty tired and haven't started yet.

Good luck today, @Dimity ...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover @Dimity

I read on my hack calendar this morning that music makes it feel like time is going faster, that's why there's often music in waiting rooms

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Good luck to you too @NatureLover . We'll compare notes.

I think music occupies your mind @avant-garde . I used to be able to get into a zen headspace of just being in the moment that was very calming but don't have that knack at present.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Interesting, @avant-garde !

Yes, let's compare notes later @Dimity 👍

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I really don't know where the day went @NatureLover . I only cleaned and decluttered an hour. I walked a bit further than usual but that didn't take long.

I wish I'd watered I only watered one bush that was wilting then lost track of time.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

An hour is still good, @Dimity . It's more than I ended up doing!

I couldn't get going yesterday and just did laundry in the end. Sorry I didn't check in with you last night.

This morning I feel a bit more energetic (cross fingers) so am aiming for 3 hours today. Just chores and tidying/cleaning, not decluttering.

Am actually tempted to go in to work to avoid doing the housework! But I'm resisting it.

I hope we both have a successful day today 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi again @Dimity , I meant to tell you: yesterday I had my annual trip to the hospital to see my psychiatrist. 3 appts per year are by Telehealth due to my germophobia. But one has to be in person, for Medicare.

I have to psych up a lot to face going to a hospital. So I went yesterday - and they said I wasn't booked in! But I had the date and time on my calendar. So now I know, I must always ring the day before to check.

I have to go back and do it again in 3 weeks' time!

I had to come home and go through my ritual disinfecting, washing self, hair and clothes etc.

Hope today is a better day for you 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes hospitals are daunting @NatureLover even without germophobia. It's bad they'd lost track of the appointment.

I've not heard of that Medicare requirement. All my appts had been telehealth for about 5 years (since the lockdowns), up until my hospitalisation a few weeks ago. It was nice to see my psychiatrist in person..

I'm sorry you'll have to face the ordeal again It's good they could slot in another appointment so soon. I'm on a waitlist for an outpatient appointment and expect it to take a year or more.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

A year or more!! 😲 @Dimity

Actually, I'm on a waitlist to check whether I'm still allergic to penicillin. That could be the same time frame.

Yes, I was surprised my psychiatrist could fit me in in 3 weeks.

I'm glad you saw your psychiatrist in person.

Work today, another frantic day! It takes me 3 days to recover from my shift. At least I feel useful and needed.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Sorry I hadn't replied @NatureLover .

I'm glad volunteering is so positive, both for for you and the organisation you work for.

A couple of people in my family have been allergic to penicillin and I assumed it was a lifelong condition.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

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