Germaphobes United Mysophobia Support Group Community Group
This is a group for those who suffer from germaphobia (mysophobia , as it is medically called), or fear of germs and being contaminated, can share thoughts and tips with each other without fear of being judged.
I am a bleacher. I AM A BLEACHER ! I AM A BLEACHER!!!!!!!!
It drives me crazy when I run low on bleach. I buy several bottles at a time, and use it for everything! I don't have a dish washer, so I hand wash. Every time I finish washing the dishes, especially after someone has used a glass, or fork,etc. I MUST bleach!
My daughter thinks I'm silly. My family thinks I'm silly, but to me, nothing is clean until it's been bleached. I am forced to use 'safe' bleach on my clothes, or I'd wear white exclusively! :D I mop with bleach, clean my bathroom
with bleach. I wipe out the fridge with bleach. Everything!!! I even tried bathing with it once, but had a rash that
stopped that, so now, I just scrub my skin. I know this OCD thing was brought on by the loss of my mother in 1994.
I took care of her . She was terminal, but I didn't know that at the time. A stroke took her at the age of 58. Since then I have had these rediculous 'rituals' to perform. I have managed to hide it from most people, as it is a little embarrassing, and something I don't enjoy. I wish I could walk past a crooked picture, or not stop to straighten a rug. Clean a countertop, or clean a tiny smudge off a window. Let the dish liquid bottle be wet, and pointed in the wrong direction, leave the blanket throw on the sofa rumpled, not check the door locks a hundred times, or check the alarm on the clock 15 times a night. I can't even let the margarine have swirls in it! I have to 'smooth' it with a spoon until it's just right.
Whew!!! That felt good!
It drives me crazy when I run low on bleach. I buy several bottles at a time, and use it for everything! I don't have a dish washer, so I hand wash. Every time I finish washing the dishes, especially after someone has used a glass, or fork,etc. I MUST bleach!
My daughter thinks I'm silly. My family thinks I'm silly, but to me, nothing is clean until it's been bleached. I am forced to use 'safe' bleach on my clothes, or I'd wear white exclusively! :D I mop with bleach, clean my bathroom
with bleach. I wipe out the fridge with bleach. Everything!!! I even tried bathing with it once, but had a rash that
stopped that, so now, I just scrub my skin. I know this OCD thing was brought on by the loss of my mother in 1994.
I took care of her . She was terminal, but I didn't know that at the time. A stroke took her at the age of 58. Since then I have had these rediculous 'rituals' to perform. I have managed to hide it from most people, as it is a little embarrassing, and something I don't enjoy. I wish I could walk past a crooked picture, or not stop to straighten a rug. Clean a countertop, or clean a tiny smudge off a window. Let the dish liquid bottle be wet, and pointed in the wrong direction, leave the blanket throw on the sofa rumpled, not check the door locks a hundred times, or check the alarm on the clock 15 times a night. I can't even let the margarine have swirls in it! I have to 'smooth' it with a spoon until it's just right.
Whew!!! That felt good!
OCD really takes its toll on us. I think if we have it, we will pick rituals and obsessions in various forms, even if we have one predominate form that we engage in. My predominate thing is decontamination. I am constantly worried about becoming contaminated by something.. this fear overwhelms me and make my life a lot harder, and these rituals I engage in offer the only relief from the stress of it. I still do other OCD things, like checking, and counting, but not as bad as the germaphobe rituals. I think if I wasn't a major germaphobe , I would have other major OCD symptoms. Do you feel that way, too., in your situation?
I am having a very hard time dealing with his messiness, and I'm trying to help him to learn about putting things in their place, and keeping the house clean, but he's so used to the mess, he's having a tough time. I try not to make him feel bad about himself, but sometimes, I just want to sit and cry. I hate that I can't just let things go sometimes. With my heart condition, I don't have a lot of energy, and sometimes I 'm out of breath, but even if I have sit in a chair and scoot across the floor, or park myself at the sink for dishes, I will.
I am not a serious 'Germaphobe' in the sense that I can't touch people, but there have been times when I would slip away to the ladies room to wash my hands, or pull out the purell in secret. I'm sure I'd be much worse if I didn't have the Zoloft. Do you take anything? If so, what, and how is it helping you?
. as i posted you know flower on.. earlier posts.. Oh yes.. My hands are sore sore sore.. even with..the gloves.. I tried saint johns wart.. so... not seem to make a difference.. Only I keep trying it off and on.. I Love the smell of lavender.. flower.. It has a calming effect but only when I'm smelling it.. ...t I love that smell..
I really do..because.. I know I feel better smelling something Pleasant.. rather than offensive smells..