Being a germaphobe ruins so many moments I should be able to enjoy. Anyone else deal with germaphobia?

Wow, I am so sorry you have to worry about things like this. Try to lighten up a little and realize that having some immunity to germs comes from being exposed to, and absorbing, some of them.

It is a time of renewal. Be renewed, become a new, less obsessive person.

I should have explained a bit more about how weak my immune system already is and how quickly I get sick and how long it lasts because of all of that. I’ve had pneumonia several times over the past few years. Every cold or sinus infection I get turns into something more every time. I wish I could just be casual about germs but every time I let my guard down I get sick. I hate being like this because my skin suffers from washing my hands and using hand sanitizer, and it’s exhausting to be like this because I’m disabled and I have extreme pain, and I’m saddled with many health problems.

I have OCD, but don’t have any fear of germs. But I can definitely relate to the ruminating thoughts that obsessions can cause

I don’t get sick but I understand what being a germaphobe is about. I used to constantly wash my hands when I was younger because I was so afraid of germs. I still do but not as much. I also tend to wipe down tables with wipes when I go out to eat, even though it may have already been cleaned by staff. I always ask for a straw for my drink because I hate touching my lips to the glass.

I am sorry you have had to deal with so many health problems. I do understand your dilemma. I always grab a wipe at Walmart before I grab a cart. The last time there were none available my son and I ended up with the Norovirus. We rarely venture out since he’s homeschooled so it was easy for me to pinpoint where we caught the virus.

I’m sorry I don’t have any advice but I wanted you to know you are not alone.

I’m not a germaphobe but shoes on the table and people handling my food with unwashed hands grosses me out, too.
On the positive side, you were out of the house doing something. Against all odds, you exercised your mind, body, and immune system. Congratulations! You started the year off right.

Have you spoken to a doctor and/or therapist about this? Also, do you get a flu and pneumonia vaccine?

Reading over your details and further posts, i see that you have serious health problems. Your fears may not be unfounded. Maybe take what you want to eat before it is handled by many. Or bring Purell if you think that helps. I still would counsel talking to someone about thevtotality of your concerns if you haven’t. Putting shoes on the table does seem a bit crude.

I have a relative who is a germaphobe but hers is expressed mainly in her house.

I’m sorry this is causing you such distress.

@CardAngel Hello!!! I am soooo happy to meet you. Picture your condition and picture your career in the health care/medical field! That’s me. I also have a bit of OCD. I used the OCD to be the best pharmacy technician I could and best licensed practical nurse before that. And it actually began with being a mom and trying to keep the babies clean. As @LuckyGuy says in your case it’s not a bad idea to be so germ conscious. Yesterday in the check out line at
Walmart the guy in front of me started coughing, a terrible, horrible cough. It ran through my mind to chuck my cart of groceries and leave the store!! I think I know how you feel. God Bless!

In my youth I knew a stunningly pretty woman with a fixation on germs and sanitation. Prior to knowing her, I had never considered that there might be disadvantages to being strikingly beautiful. But imagine being driven to peculiar compulsive behaviors when it is more or less guaranteed that everyone within eyesight is already staring at you. She is largely responsible for lessons on the perks associated with a nocturnal public existence. I also came to understand that there can be a profound sort of lonliness resulting from enforced celebrity. Lucky indeed are the few of us who manage to find our way to stoicism.

Yes, I do see a therapist and I do get a flu shot. Never had a pneumonia vaccine. I will ask my doctor about getting one.

An acquaintance grabbed my face to give me a NYE kiss and she was one of the ones who took her shoes off and put them on the table. I had other people give me kisses too, so I can’t say where I picked up whatever I have because, as I feared, I woke up sick today. Sore throat, stuffy nose and cough. Doing my usual routine to hopefully lessen length of time I’m sick, which includes Mucinex, Emergen-C, lots of fluids and staying warm.

Someone also knocked my scarf and jacket on the floor and I had to wear them home because it was nearly 0 degrees last night. That was so hard to get through. Sitting there fearing putting them on. I know it sounds ridiculous!

Oh well, it’s mainly an anxiety thing I have to deal with when things get like they did last night. Very overwhelming.