Germaphobia: lifestyle choice or mental illness?

I think the definition of whether something is normal or not is if it interferes with your daily life. If it is something you can live with and doesnt interfere unnecessarily with your life than it is normal, if it is something that makes you our others uncomfortable maybe it is something you should look into changing. It's up to you what you choose to do.

I'd give you a fit of the screaming horrors. * But if your behavior is impacting on your quality of life, you do need to seek assistance. If it is not, don't. Only you can make that determination as only you live in your skin.

Hi bowtieguy, [i]I can relate with you but when I was working, I will try my very best not to be noticed by any colleagues..In our toilet in the office, I will bring tissue to open the door since I don't like to touch the handle bare hands...It's weird but I can't help it..LOL! My Parents know also since I was 6 that I have always my spoon with me when we are going to attend a party...They are confused how I was like that, they are not training me but it was just my nature! In the house, I am very particular about wiping the door knobs very often even if only my husband and I are here...LOL! i don't think I need any professional help, LOL! It is just what I want to do![/i]

Hi bowtieguy, You may not need to seek phyciatric help, but you certainly need to change your habits, and unless you do it now, it will only get worse. We have to live with others in this world, and while I agree with washing you hands often, and other normal things, I really think you should relax a little. I rarely catch a cold and I live a pretty normal life. Blessings.

I don't think that's any way to live. You've got to expose yourself to germs now and then. How do you have any fun without exposing yourself to germs? I don't really care much at all about germs. I let my kids play in the dirt and walk through the house filthy. I don't check to make sure they used soap after I tell them to wash their hands. I clean my toilet once per week unless it looks really filthy. I have a really good immune system and never get sick, and I think it's because I expose my body to germs, so I'm able to build up immunities to them. I don't think it's healthy to constantly be worried about germs.

Hi! :D I too am a germaphobic, but somewhat milder. It is actually an obsession-compulsion disorder with germs as our obsession. At school, I think it was okay to hold the door knobs. I really didn't mind. But in public places, I just push the door with my feet (since most of the places I go to are malls - just handles). I try to "strategically" hold/use the areas of a door or item that is not the initial instinct of a person to hold. Like in the bathroom, I'll hold the sliding thing of the lock to lock the door instead of its handle. As for eating/drinking, same with me. I think its gross to unintentionally exchange saliva even with relatives. It's still saliva. If it is disrupting your daily activities to the point that you fail to perform your role (work, family, etc.), then I guess you have to seek psychiatric help. If not, then I think it's okay.

i know lots of people who are like you. but i don't see that as a problem. if that's the way they wanna deal with cleanliness, then be it. i am also living a clean lifestyle but not as systematic as you. i believe that proper hygiene is a good way in maintaining good health. anyway, don't mind your officemate. maybe she's just making a joke out of you. for as long as you are sure you're not mentally illed, then, you don't need to consult a doctor at all.

Ummm.. you know having such kind of person near me I would have gone crazy!!!! Seriously CRAZY!!!!If you are one of them then I should tell you that there are more than 1000 kinds of germs present "on" and "in" our body!!!! You just can NOT get them "off" or "out" of your self!!!And They are not harmful at all. In fact some of them are good for our health. If you remained very cautious.. You will pron to have more allergies with you. And many others stuffs like. Being clean is good but getting so much of a cleanliness freak will only make your immunity system weak!! Just imagine that your kid if allergic to soil, now what will you do he will never be able to walk on ground anymore. My parents always allowed me to play in mud, have bath in rain, swim in river water and climb any tree I wanted to. Yes I faced some rashes, mosquito bites, ant bites and some allergies as well but I am all good now I don't have any of those allergies now and I just love the freedom I have with me!!What I believe and as what my parents told me is STAY CLOSE TO NATURE as much as you can, because everything else can end like you can not have AC every where, You can not have refrigerator every where you can not have clean packed foods every where(some time you will just have to eat some wild plants and some badly cooks meats), You can not get toilets every where and you can not even get soaps every where!!! Like this you will just be equivalent to a handicapped person. And I don't want to be like ONE ever. I have seen a life of a TOWN as well as a true wild VILLAGE LIFE and I am proud to say that I can adjust any where. Because you never know what will come to your way in life. Just learn to be a little more independent in life. And BE CLOSE to NATURE as much as you can and enjoy your life to the fullest!!!(am sorry if I am over reacting at our topic, but it is just that I am in love with nature) And with toilets I just always have emergency I just can't hold it.

I have seen some people wash their hands often but carrying sanitiser is somewhat abnormal.you need to change yourself.This is somekind of phobia and ofcourse you need assisstance in this matter.

Well being clean in all the things is good because your just concern with you health but too much clean will cause you sickness too..You need to be immune to your environment to survive..Lol,I remember the nim's island I dont know if you watch it,She got the same case with ya that she is always carryin sanitizer in her hand...:-0 Well If you ask me,I guess you need to learn to touch things that is not really dirty than you think because I'm sure some people will think it's not normal but try to consult about it maybe it helps...:-0 good luck...

Hi, If the behaviour is having a negative impact on your life then you should really think about getting help, however if these are just quirkie little habits then I wouldn't worry too much.