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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?

Content/trigger warning

We did achieve something, @tyme !

Well, I was feeling pleased about washing the doona and mattress protector, but when I came to go to bed, I realised I hadn't had a shower. I can't get into fresh sheets without a shower, so I lay on top of the bed with a blanket all night! @Dimity @tyme

Edited to add: there's no trigger warning, I don't know how that got there. Can't see how to remove it 😣

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Well done on sorting the fabric, @Dimity .

You have a lot to cope with. I hope the extra meds last night helped you to sleep.

Oh gosh, the eye specialist. I hope it goes better than you expect 🤞

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes, that's part of the problem, @Dimity - trying to cram a double doona into a medium sized washing machine. But the bedding all dried luckily, and it feels good to have achieved it.

What makes you nervous about your destination(s)?

I'm sorry you have a recurrent nightmare 😣

Have you ever tried talking to a therapist about your complicated feelings regarding going to bed? I have complicated feelings about going to bed too - I probably need to raise them with my psychologist.

Today I've got too much on as I've been avoiding going out the last 3 days. It was great to stay home though. Today I've got errands, watering, and house cleaning. I'm tempted to avoid the house cleaning and go to the library to catch up on some work, but we'll see.

No socialising this week, just medical appts - dentist and respiratory specialist. 😣 More money and hassle! I'm putting off booking the iron infusion as I've had too many medical appts lately.

I hope you didn't have the recurring nightmare last night...

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Did you get through all those tasks @NatureLover ? I did a big shop at Bunnings.

Tiger seemed a bit better today.

I get very anxious going places especially ones I don't know well, and have what I guess is social anxiety. I also get disoriented.

I talked to the counsellor about new routines and resetting my body clock but not the somatic anxiety and stress.

I had the recurrent dream again but this time there were 2 faces I remembered so it wasn't as bad. Normally I'm lost and among strangers, but aware I'm in past huge workplaces etc. I rarely remember dreams so twice in a row is unusual.

Dentists and specialists are definitely an investment in your health if you can afford them. I'm paying an eyewatering amount for insurance while others can socialise and travel, and update their wardrobes. I guess that's my choice, to have the backstop of hospital admission.

I hope you can get your iron infusion soon, before the shorter days complicate things further.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Dimity , no, I tried but failed to leave the house 😣

This morning I have the dentist at 8.45 so I have to leave the house. It's a work day, but I'm hoping I can piggyback a grocery shop plus posting those birthday cards onto the dentist visit.

Glad to hear about Tiger.

Thanks for explaining about your anxiety in going places. And your social anxiety - which makes it even more admirable that you're going to your 2 social groups.

What is somatic anxiety?

Your recurrent nightmare sounds awful 😥

I can't afford any medical insurance. Maybe I could if I stopped socialising, but that would have a hugely negative effect on me, so I won't. Plus I have so many medical conditions, I'm not sure I could even get medical insurance. I don't have contents insurance either.

I hope your social group goes well today - plus your eye specialist appt is this week too, so I hope that is good.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover I trust all went well for you today, even if it was an effort.

While I was working I had a number of stays in private hospitals, some referred from CATT. I've only had 1 or 2 public psych admissions (I guess last year counts although it wasn't a psych bed). Continuing my insurance seems essential, for the sake of family as public beds are so scarce.

Tiger deteriorated last night and today and has been euthenased.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

OMG @Dimity ! 😥 Am so sorry for your loss of Tiger 😥

Sending you love and care ❤️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Awww @Dimity , I'm so so so sorry to hear about your furbaby, Tiger. My heart goes out to you.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes @NatureLover , defo need clean body to go into clean sheets!

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thanks @NatureLover and @tyme .

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