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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?

Thankyou @NatureLover. I tend to have ‘ moments’ of keeping things tidy. Then.....everything gets ......lost. 😂😂😂😂 That’s the cycle.

Hope to catch up with you around the forums today. 💕💕☕️☕️

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you for the coffees and warm to wake up to, @Maggie ! How was your night?

Do you have to have rental inspections too?

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Yes @NatureLover , once a year. And I do the same as you. 😂😂 I’m in a Housing flat. Mine is due early next year.

Ok night. Getting ready for counsellor this morning. Take care.

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Once a year is better than mine (twice a year). After each one of course I realise how badly I needed to clean up, and I swear I won't let it get into such a mess again. This time I'm really determined...but it will depend on the depression levels, as always. Thank you for understanding my panic.

I'm happy to hear you have housing stability 🙂 Thank goodness. It's something that worries me greatly.

Glad your night was OK. I hope your counsellor session goes well...I think it can be extremely hard for you...? Sending you a warm hug @Maggie

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover Oh gosh, twice a year, that’s a lot of stress.

I do the same. I make plans to put my paint etc away after I use it, wash up before I runs out of dishes, but much like you, depression, plus other stuff, then back to square one.

I’ve moved 4 times in less than 3 years @NatureLover , it’s been really hard. Affordability with one, so I really was glad this flat came up last November. I’m still getting curtains etc, but it’s feeling more and more like home. I hope I won’t need to move again. 🤞🤞🤞

I understand the need for a stable home. I certainly don’t have assets or superannuation, but stability and a roof is vital.

Thankyou for your warm hug. My counsellor is a gem. We’ve walked together for 15 yrs now, so she knows me well. I do believe she’s an angel.

I hope you have a good evening doing something nice for you.

Take care @NatureLover 💕💕💕💕💕

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Oh gosh, @Maggie ! Moving 4 times in less than 3 years? That's my idea of a nightmare 😮 and it's not housing stability at all. I'm sorry that I got it so wrong 😞

I hope you won't need to move again either. 🤞 I'm the type of person who wants to stay forever in the same house. With the same arrangement of the furniture, and maybe every few years or so rearranging a few small things on the shelves! 😄

So glad your counsellor is a gem. Mine is too. I am so grateful, as I know it is often not the case. Plus I think I read that you tried counsellors for years and none worked out - I did too.

You take care too, lovely lady 🙂

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

@NatureLover You didn’t get it wrong, I have stable housing now, just not in the past 3 or so years. And yes, it was a nightmare. Probably this time last year I was looking at homelessness, and it was scary.

My background is moving, moving, then just to change things, moving some more, so the thought of stability is very attractive. I can’t see another move happening, so I hope I have found my forever home on this planet. 🤞🤞🤞

I went through the MH system, but they ended up giving up. I was in the ‘ too hard’ basket. Too many failed attempts, too many problems, no treatment worked. So finding my ‘ gem’ has been a life saver, literally.

You’ve had a tough trop @NatureLover , though ‘trot’ is more like ‘ slog’. Life is tough, that’s for sure.

Its so good having you here on the forums. You are a ‘ gem’ here.

Take care of yourself also’ lovely lady’. 💕💕💕💕💕

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Thank you for your kind words, dear @Maggie 💜 I grew up without any kind words, just the opposite (as did you, I'm guessing), so I really value any kind words. Plus words are my 'love language', which cuts both ways of course.

I'm so sorry that last year you were looking down the barrel at homelessness 😞 It's terrifying. And having a stable home really helps mental health, I reckon...I hope it really helps your health, and that you can stay there forever now.


@Maggie wrote:

I went through the MH system, but they ended up giving up. I was in the ‘ too hard’ basket. Too many failed attempts, too many problems, no treatment worked. So finding my ‘ gem’ has been a life saver, literally.


I am so very sorry to read this. How heartbreaking that must have been for you. 😞 I can readily understand that finding your counsellor saved your life. I am so thankful.

Sending you a big gentle hug ((( @Maggie ))) 💚

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @NatureLover @Maggie

I have seen this page before so here goes. I’m in my own home (with a mortgage) so I don’t get inspections but sometimes I think it would be beneficial to be accountable.

I had a big clean out when H died but it’s time for another.

I have the Flylady book so I’m going to follow her routines otherwise I’d pull it all out and just get distracted.

Today I’m in the living room....

Totally inspired by you.

💙🧡💙

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

Re: Any diagnosed germophobes or hoarders on this forum?

Hi @Eve7 ! It's true, I think cleaning up is beneficial, but only ever after the inspection is over, lol.

That makes me feel good, that I've inspired you, even though I had no choice in the matter 😄

I hope you have a successful day sorting out the lounge-room, and even enjoy it. Let us know how it goes!

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