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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?

Hi @Dimity , I studied the new software which doesn't seem too tricky. But I didn't clear the kitchen floor. My psychologist appt is tomorrow, so I guess I failed in my goal.

Well done on picking up the litter! Wow.

So sorry about the stress and pressure from your family 😥

You wrote "unlike mental health where we blame ourselves". This struck me, as I don't blame myself for any of my 6 MIs. Do I blame myself for failing to tidy up? That's a tricky one. Maybe a little.

I know stress affects my MH.

I hope your headache and neck and shoulder tension ease 🤞 and you can have a good day if possible...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hello @NatureLover . I imagine you'll have a lot to report to your psychologist.

I ended up sleeping about 11 hours. I was worn out.

Today I got the fence quote and finally posted my referral. I'm disturbed by some politics at the moment too so contacted my mp with my concerns.

I have a mountain of chores to attend to. And more family pressure today. None of it got done.

Do you think you'll come back to your tidy state? Or let it go for now? I'll have to make an effort tomorrow as I'm running out of clean stuff.

I think I do feel guilty about my mh, that it's a personal failing, although circumstances weren't good. And I feel conflicted about my physical limitations.

Friday tomorrow - errands day for you?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , 11 hours! That would have done you good. And well done for posting your referral and getting the fence quote. Is it reasonable, the quote?

My psychologist moved the appt to next Weds, so I have a chance of tidying up before then. Even though I have something on every day till then.

I'm sorry you feel guilty about your MH 😥

Yes, errands today plus I need to get the laptop sorted out and ready to go for next Tuesday. There's a local computer shop I can go to if needed today for help.

I hope you feel up to getting stuff done today 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

The quote did sound reasonable @NatureLover but I don't have it in writing yet. I'm getting another quote at 8.30 tomorrow. I hope I wake up in time.

A tree I looked out on was cut down today. It seemed healthy. Maybe the owners are subdividing.

I did 2 1/2 hours of chores but am still behind.

Is the laptop still needing work before you can use it?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Good morning @Dimity ! You'll be up soon for your quote. 8.30am on a Saturday seems an unusual time!

I'm sad that tree was cut down.

2 1/2 hours of chores is excellent work. More than I've been doing.

I did end up taking the laptop to the computer shop - I was dumb and couldn't work it. The nice man helped me to set it up for no charge and answered all my questions. Now all I need to do is download a free spreadsheet programme and charge it up before Tuesday. The man said it was a very good laptop - I feel very blessed.

I wasn't sure I could complete all my errands yesterday, but ended up going home to get scripts and completing them.

I hope all goes well with getting the quote and you feel up to doing stuff 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 yesterday's efforts @NatureLover , especially the laptop.

The fence quotes will be emailed. I didn't have as much confidence in today's fencer.

I've ordered some plants for the backyard, and potted up some succulents.

I felt I'd made progress.

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 garden work, @Dimity - that would've been satisfying. It was a nice day for it.

I went for a dog walk yesterday with a friend. Today I am going out for lunch.

Thanks for your kind words. 🙂

I'm glad you felt you saw some progress. I hope that was encouraging.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Fingers crossed the new job is working out for you @NatureLover .

The support button isn't working again.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks, @Dimity . I'm enjoying the work for the new job, and there were no technology issues yesterday, thankfully.

Have you received the second quote for the fence yet?

I've got coffee with a friend from my old job this afternoon, then my psychologist tomorrow afternoon.

I hope you are managing...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

No @NatureLover the second quote hasn't come through yet.

I got a fright when council said they'd give me the complaining home help all the time so I asked for someone else. I'm considering cancelling altogether.

Have you started the second job yet?

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