Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Of course @NatureLover 😀

No need to respond at all.

Please take care.

Its been nice interacting with you a little more today.

Sherry 💕

Hi @Former-Member , sorry for the delay in responding - of course I want to reply! It has been a hectic day in real life today, and I am still a bit overwhelmed by the forums - keeping up, I mean. I am still learning how to manage my time online, and am really behind in notifications - which I know you feel conscientious about also.

Thank you for writing about your OCD, and hoarding as well. The counting and checking is terribly onerous, I know...I have heard how bad it can be. 😞 I'm sorry you suffer with those. I'm not so familiar with "precision" and "patterns", so if you could explain, I would be grateful - but only if you feel you want to. No pressure.

Do the counting and checking mean that it takes you quite a while to leave the house, when you go out?

That's interesting you say your OCD becomes worse when your PTSD is bad. I've noticed that I use more sanitiser when I'm stressed, even if no germs are present in my head...if that makes sense.

Oh gosh - re your parents' huge collection of magazines! If it is anything like I used to be, then I'm guessing they don't go out and look at those old magazines at all?

My germophobia and my hoarding disorder unfortunately clash, in that I feel I need to sanitise most things that come inside the house - even pieces of paper (using multiple ritual wipings with dry cloths). This means that the "dirty" items build up in a big pile waiting to be faced, and the hoarding is exacerbated. I have actually made excellent progress on the hoarding over the years, working on it with my psychologist and at home with a friend sometimes, or by myself. It's not nearly as bad as it used to be.

It's good that you only keep what you use...I admire people who can do that. I will never be a minimalist, but I can still make more progress.

Interestingly, you said "please tag me next time you post"...I am still learning how the forums operate, and I guess this is the way it works. I actually haven't been posting on this thread since the only other germophobe here has taken time away...I'm wondering if that's what I should be doing. Hmmm.

Thanks again @Former-Member for sharing about your OCD. 🙂

Thank you, @outlander ...been pretty concerned about you. Sending you a gentle hug...

Thank you for the hugs, you lovely person 🙂 ❤ @outlander

I have been struggling a lot but am OK, thanks.

I was just on your thread leaving a message while you were on mine! (Lol - I know it's not 'my' thread really)

You are an incredible person, @outlander . You are going through the absolute pits, and are still offering to help and support others. I am blown away.

You are probably the last person that I would want to burden - you carry such a terribly heavy load already. It's not that I don't want to share with you at all - you're so kind and approachable! So I'll just say that I've had a lot of bad anxiety and overwhelm, and have requested an cancellation appointment with my psychologist to help me, plus am going to try cutting down a bit on the forums. I will still be keeping up my CG obligations, even if I cut down my hours online. Edited to add: the anxiety has been about offline stuff.

So there's nothing you need to worry about - it's all OK. Thank you @outlander , you are such an amazing and beautiful person. ❤️ I hope you can focus on looking after you... I think Sherry said we are all here ready to dive in and try and support you, the minute you want or need anything. It's true.