FORUMS

Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

  • 47,612Members
  • 1,358,869Posts
  • 1,400,000Visitors
Our stories

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!

6456 replies

5,071 - 5,080 of 6,456

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response @Dimity. I was concerned that I had upset you even though I was trying to be supportive, saying that I thought that what the home helper had said was totally inappropriate.

I don't think it is the worker place to decide what you should (or can) or shouldn't do. You have been assessed as needing assistance, so that's it, in my opinion. They also don't need to know what the impairment is, they are not a health worker, if they are helping around the home. It is not their palce to issue stern talking statements.

I know it might be hard to say F2F but could you just say I have been assessed as requiring assistance. It would be good if you could get the other helper more often.

I was not so much upset, as worried that you would be upset and not see my post for a while and you would feel more belittled or disparaged or however you were made to feel by home helper.

It did play yet again into the Not Good Enough - but that is my problem, not yours. So I need to learn how to take people's feedback without jumping into the abyss.

So, from that aspect, for my own self, I'm happy you responded in such an understanding way - thank you

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hope you've had a good day @NatureLover after such a difficult day yesterday.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh no, @Dimity ! That's outrageous. Her comments are not on. Especially as she's providing a service for people with disabilities!!

Can you request not to have her again? And can you complain about her comments and attitude? Maybe other people have also complained about her, and the organisation will take steps to rein her in.

I'm sorry that happened to you 😥

How are you feeling this morning, after that?!

I had a slow, quiet day at home yesterday, much needed. This morning I went out on errands early. Am delighted by the sunshine. There will be at least 3 days of rain next week, so I intend to soak up the sun today and tomorrow.

I also have more tidying to do in the kitchen, and 9 new library books to ritually wipe, and the lawn to rake.

Hope you feel OK today... 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks so much for your personal message, @tyme ! Thanks too for remembering my S.A.D.

It hasn't really kicked in yet, this year! Thankfully. I still get a little bit on cloudy days over summer, but not too bad yet. We've been having lots of sunshine in Melbourne, so that's why.

Hope you're not too cold after being in America!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

I really enjoyed the sunshine on my walk today @NatureLover .

I'm glad you've got more books in your TBR cache. Precious.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity I just wanted to say hi and see how you are going.

I'm sorry it's taken me a while to do that today. I have been busy.

Hopefully, I have got my roof fixed with the roofer coming this morning and doing a fair bit of work.

This afternoon I have been making a presentation for my sport club to give to another organisation.

So, sorry for delay.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Glad you got sunshine for your walk, @Dimity . It clouded over in the afternoon, so I didn't end up sitting outside. I hope I can sit outside this afternoon.

I only got a little tidying done, but lots of laundry. I'll try again today. But I did ritually wipe all 9 library books, of course! I need to water the garden this morning.

What do you have planned for today?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Even a little tidying is better than none @NatureLover .

My big thing today is a neighbour's child's birthday party. I'm incredibly nervous and might just drop off the gifts and not go in. At present I'm very tired and just feel like hiding away.

Speaking to my psychiatrist Friday I realised how badly the family situation is impacting me but he said he didn't have any answers.

The home help asking me about my clutter and writing down the name of the main op shop I've taken stuff to underlines how important it is to get that at least under control.

Good luck with catching some sun.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Why would the home "help" write down the name of the main opp shop you use?!! How is that any of her business? @Dimity

I think it's perfectly fair to drop off the gift and not go in! That's what I would do, even if I wasn't feeling fragile. Kids' birthday parties aren't my thing, not even my nieces' and nephews', and I've let people know that.

I'm sorry about your family situation and how it impacts you 😥

I enjoyed being outside watering this morning. It's beautiful outside. Next up is doing the washing up - a rare occurrence as I re-use a single plate, mug, cutlery etc. I want to do the raking but my neighbour says he wants to. He probably won't do it, but I have to wait and see.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover I hope one way or another the raking got done before tomorrow's rain.

I dropped the gift and didn't go to the party.

Today I found space on a couple of tabletops. Partly through admitting defeat and reboxing some computer stuff. I haven't used the computers in ages and am now a bit phobic so I'm unlikely to sort the floppy discs anytime soon.

I'm tired. Some difficult moments and memories today.

Hope work was OK today and not chaotic after the unexpected departure of your boss.

5,071 - 5,080 of 6,456