intense germaphobia
in the bathroom the shower curtain freaking touches the toilet handle for some reason and now im worried that everything has germs on it to make things short. including myself, who is sitting on the couch and just casually spreading my germs to the couch. i thought i was overreacting which is why i sat on the couch in the first place but i started worrying again. how do i fix this situation?
@intellectualBeechwood8141
Hello dear, I'm not an expert at germaphobia, but I do know someone who is quite like this. I think some part of the healing lies in self-soothing mechanisms. For example, ask yourself "if these two things touch and spread germs, did the world end? No. Will this happen again? Yes, most likely. Will I be okay how many times germs spread? Again, most likely yes." It's within your perspective, so when you change a habitual train of thought, your feelings about it change as well. Remember, you are not alone and you will be okay.
Don't worry.... Clean Your Toilet before using and after using it. Or can change your curtain if you are clean your toilet is clean then nothing to worry
@intellectualBeechwood8141 You know, I think the problem is the danger may be anywhere else than we expect it to be. For example, I've heard about a scientific research which proved there are more germs on the average smartphone than on the toilet seat. Why? Because many people never clean their beloved smartphones, use it with dirty hands or... in a toilet.
Myself when I was living in a city, I had some public transport germaphobia. Just imagined how many homeless or other people rarely wash their hands, sleeping God-knows-where, doing God-knows-what. Soon I became a master in waiting for someone else to push the bus stop button. And in public places I've got a master's degree on opening the doors without using my bare palms. Really :-)
I think the problems with such phobias is neutralising not "the arrows" (obsessions and compulsory behaviours) but "the archers" - finding the source of a permanent anxiety. For me the triggers were: satisfying others while forgetting my needs, excessive expectations to myself at work/school, relationship troubles...
I have that, too. I'm even afraid of rainwater for crying out loud. I disinfect myself often with rubbing alcohol. What I do now is avoiding anything that's unclean. I don't know if that helps in the long run, but that's what I'm hoping to figure out soon. Take care.
