Remember they want nothing to do with germs. she is an EXTREME germaphobe and can't spend time in a place she finds dirty and constantly cleans my room when i have her over. So do you. John rarely allows eggs or chicken in the house as he is afraid that they will contaminate the house with salmonella bacteria. Genetics: A family history of anxiety disorders increases the likelihood of phobias. To diagnose a phobia, a clinician will conduct an interview. Over time, you regain control of your thoughts about germs. While these repeated actions might actually reduce the risk of contamination, they can be all-consuming, making it difficult to focus on anything else. "The longer you delay it, you will get slowly over time a decrease in the anxiety to enact the ritual.". Positive affirmations help challenge unhelpful, intrusive thoughts. I consider telling her to keep it and wait until my next pay day, but quickly remember that I am as poor as I am neurotic: I need that money. Last medically reviewed on September 18, 2018. New York, I was so close. If she is really worried about her hands being dirty, a quick dab of hand sanitizer always does the trick. NY 10036. practicing mindfulness or meditation to target anxiety, applying other relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga, confronting feared situations when possible, reducing caffeine or other stimulant consumption. Even if they do, the next thing will be to wash or sanitize their hands after that. That's just a small example. Sometimes they can make matters worse' Imagine coming home with your friends and your partner refusing to shake their hands. John would be very likely to benefit from a consultation with his family doctor or a mental health professional to complete a clinical interview and medical history to make a definitive diagnosis of OCD and explore potential treatment options. The key difference is that people with germaphobia clean in an effort to reduce germs, while people with OCD clean (aka engage in the ritual behavior) to reduce their anxiety. Sometimes, this anxiety leads to compulsive behaviors. How serious are common childhood fears? 2023 Psych Central, a Healthline Media Company. They may also casually use the term germaphobe to simply mean they dont want to come into contact with microorganisms. But germ worries might be a sign of something more serious when they start to interfere with your ability to work, study, or socialize. The one they wish would refill their water instead of cleaning the cash register for the fourth time. Worries about contamination by germs and/or catching infectious diseases are common in our society. But having a family history doesn't always mean these issues will affect you. Verywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Germaphobia is also called mysophobia. Judge tells former president: 'Events happen during postponements. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation. But when one of the hands she's using to give me a "good job" shoulder squeeze is holding a used tissue, I'm as uncomfortable as Howie Mandel at a meet and greet. To find resources for mental health, check out Psych Centrals Find Help page. Case 2: John is a 42-year-old part-time computer consultant. OCD vs. Germaphobe Struggles - Reddit Menu Her germ-ridden fingers then explore my pepper spray, my bottle opener, and every single one of my keys. I am thinking of ending it cause of this. Colon-Rivera H, et al. It's important to note that an obsession with cleanliness, contamination, and/or germs is also a common OCD symptom. His constant cleaning and preoccupation with contamination have put a significant strain on his relationship with his wife and children. There, in the shadowy back hole of the toilet bowl, is my favorite ring. In some cases, medications are used to relieve symptoms of anxiety associated with exposure to germs in the short term. According to a small 2019 qualitative study, some people may attempt to hide their OCD symptoms due to concerns about how their condition could affect their friends and family. Germophobia is the pathological fear of germs, bacteria, microbes, contamination and infection. And thats OK, youre not alone. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. From an early age, I knew all about germs. I can try to back out of this stereotype, stumbling over a whole ordealabout how I'm not weird aboutallgerms, just the ones around my food, and how it's more of a "thing" than a phobia. The individual feels that he or she must comply with certain rigid rules that are self-imposed. Maybe it's the woman who cleans her cubicle every morning and keeps everything arranged just so. This will make you look inefficient or stupid, but they want things to be done in their way. You need to have a clean hand before you are allowed to touch them. Trying to change a person with germaphobe so you shouldnt try doing that. That should be that, but an anxious feeling and thought intrude: what if microscopic germs remain? Thalassophobia is an intense phobia or fear of large bodies of water. (2020). In fact, its a good idea to take certain steps to lower your risk of contracting a contagious illness and potentially passing it on to others. In this case, they apply to thoughts and situations that involve germs. Help him to become more independent, and show him that he has the ability to change. And again, for what feels like the 90th time in 12 hours, I wash my hands. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Although not an actual medical term, most people agree that a germaphobe is someone who is preoccupied or even obsessed with cleanliness, germs, and infectious diseases. Fear, Staten Island, N.Y. Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation. Privacy Policy. Is it okay to date a girl who currently has an Onlyfans account? How to Overcome Your Obsessions and Compulsions, by Edna B. Foa, PhD, and Reid Wilson, PhD; Everything In Its Place: My Trials and Triumphs With Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, by Marc Summers and Eric Hollander, MD; and OCD Casebook: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, by John H. Greist and James W. Jefferson. They are scared of germs, but in the real sense, it is a disorder.