Scared of germs
Symptoms, When to Be Concerned, Treatment, and More
What is germaphobia?
Germaphobia (also sometimes spelled germophobia) is the fear of germs. In this case, “germs” refers broadly to any microorganism that causes disease — for instance, bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Germaphobia may be referred to by other names, including:
- bacillophobia
- bacteriophobia
- mysophobia
- verminophobia
Read on to find out more about germaphobia symptoms and when to seek help.
We all have fears, but phobias tend to be viewed as unreasonable or excessive compared to standard fears.
The distress and anxiety caused by a germ phobia are out of proportion to the damage that germs are likely to cause. Someone who has germaphobia might go to extreme lengths to avoid contamination.
The symptoms of germaphobia are the same as the symptoms of other specific phobias. In this case, they apply to thoughts and situations that involve germs.
The emotional and psychological symptoms of germaphobia include:
- intense terror or fear of germs
- anxiety, worries, or nervousness related to exposure to germs
- thoughts of germ exposure resulting in an illnesses or other negative consequence
- thoughts of being overcome with fear in situations when germs are present
- trying to distract yourself from thoughts about germs or situations that involve germs
- feeling powerless to control a fear of germs that you recognize as unreasonable or extreme
The behavioral symptoms of germaphobia include:
- avoiding or leaving situations perceived to result in germ exposure
- spending an excessive amount of time thinking about, preparing for, or putting off situations that might involve germs
- seeking help to cope with the fear or situations that cause fear
- difficulty functioning at home, work, or school because of fear of germs (for example, the need to excessively wash your hands may limit your productivity in places where you perceive there to be many germs)
The physical symptoms of germaphobia are similar to those of other anxiety disorders and can occur during both thoughts of germs and situations that involve germs.
They include:
- rapid heartbeat
- sweating or chills
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness or pain
- light-headedness
- tingling
- shaking or tremors
- muscle tension
- restlessness
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- difficulty relaxing
Children who have a fear of germs can also experience the symptoms listed above. Depending on their age, they may experience additional symptoms, such as:
- tantrums, crying, or screaming
- clinging to or refusing to leave parents
- difficulty sleeping
- nervous movements
- self-esteem issues
Sometimes a fear of germs can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Learn more about how to determine if your child has this condition.
With germaphobia, the fear of germs is persistent enough to impact your day-to-day life. People with this fear might go to great lengths to avoid actions that could result in contamination, such as eating out at a restaurant or having sex.
They might also avoid places where germs are plentiful, such as public bathrooms, restaurants, or buses. Some places are harder to avoid, such as school or work. In these places, actions like touching a doorknob or shaking hands with someone can lead to significant anxiety.
Sometimes, this anxiety leads to compulsive behaviors. Someone with germaphobia might frequently wash their hands, shower, or wipe surfaces clean.
While these repeated actions might actually reduce the risk of contamination, they can be all-consuming, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
Passing concern about germs or illnesses isn’t necessarily a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
With OCD, recurring and persistent obsessions result in significant anxiety and distress. These feelings result in compulsive and repetitive behaviors that provide some relief. Cleaning is a common compulsion among people who have OCD.
It’s possible to have germaphobia without OCD, and vice versa.
Some people have both germaphobia and OCD.
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.
Like other phobias, germaphobia often begins between childhood and young adulthood. Several factors are believed to contribute to the development of a phobia. These include:
- Negative experiences in childhood. Many people with germaphobia can recall a specific event or traumatic experience that led to germ-related fears.
- Family history. Phobias can have a genetic link. Having a close family member with a phobia or another anxiety disorder can increase your risk. However, they might not have the same phobia as you.
- Environmental factors. Beliefs and practices about cleanliness or hygiene that you’re exposed to as a young person may influence the development of germaphobia.
- Brain factors.
Certain changes in brain chemistry and function are thought to play a role in the development of phobias.
Triggers are objects, places, or situations that aggravate phobia symptoms. Germaphobia triggers that cause symptoms can include:
- bodily fluids such as mucus, saliva, or semen
- unclean objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards, or unwashed clothes
- places where germs are known to collect, such as airplanes or hospitals
- unhygienic practices or people
Germaphobia falls under the category of specific phobias in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
To diagnose a phobia, a clinician will conduct an interview. The interview might include questions about your current symptoms, as well as your medical, psychiatric, and family history.
The DSM-5 includes a list of criteria used to diagnose phobias. In addition to experiencing certain symptoms, a phobia typically causes significant distress, impacts your ability to function, and lasts for a period of six months or more.
During the diagnosis process, your clinician may also ask questions to identify whether your fear of germs is caused by OCD.
Most people take precautions to avoid common illnesses, such as colds and the flu. We should all be somewhat concerned about germs during flu season, for example.
In fact, it’s a good idea to take certain steps to lower your risk of contracting a contagious illness and potentially passing it on to others. It’s important to get a seasonal flu shot and wash your hands on a regular basis to avoid getting sick with the flu.
Concern for germs becomes unhealthy when the amount of distress it causes outweighs the distress it prevents. There is only so much you can do to avoid germs.
There may be signs that your fear of germs is harmful to you. For instance:
- If your worries about germs put significant limitations on what you do, where you go, and who you see, there may be reason for concern.
- If you’re aware that your fear of germs is irrational, but feel powerless to stop it, you may need help.
- If the routines and rituals you feel compelled to carry out to avoid contamination leave you feeling ashamed or mentally unwell, your fears may have crossed the line into a more serious phobia.
Seek help from a doctor or therapist. There is treatment available for germaphobia.
The goal of germaphobia treatment is to help you become more comfortable with germs, thereby improving your quality of life. Germaphobia is treated with therapy, medication, and self-help measures.
Therapy
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counselling, can help you face your fear of germs. The most successful treatments for phobias are exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Exposure therapy or desensitization involves gradual exposure to germaphobia triggers. The goal is to reduce anxiety and fear caused by germs. Over time, you regain control of your thoughts about germs.
CBT is usually used in combination with exposure therapy. It includes a series of coping skills that you can apply in situations when your fear of germs becomes overwhelming.
Medication
Therapy is usually enough to treat a phobia. In some cases, medications are used to relieve symptoms of anxiety associated with exposure to germs in the short term. These medications include:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Medication is also available to address symptoms of anxiety during specific situations. These include:
- beta blockers
- antihistamines
- sedatives
Self-help
Certain lifestyle changes and home remedies might help relieve your fear of germs. These include:
- practicing mindfulness or meditation to target anxiety
- applying other relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga
- staying active
- getting enough sleep
- eating healthy
- seeking a support group
- confronting feared situations when possible
- reducing caffeine or other stimulant consumption
It’s normal to feel concerned about germs.
But germ worries might be a sign of something more serious when they start to interfere with your ability to work, study, or socialize.
Make an appointment with a doctor or therapist if you feel like your anxieties surrounding germs are limiting your quality of life. There are numerous treatment methods that can help you.
Symptoms, When to Be Concerned, Treatment, and More
What is germaphobia?
Germaphobia (also sometimes spelled germophobia) is the fear of germs. In this case, “germs” refers broadly to any microorganism that causes disease — for instance, bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Germaphobia may be referred to by other names, including:
- bacillophobia
- bacteriophobia
- mysophobia
- verminophobia
Read on to find out more about germaphobia symptoms and when to seek help.
We all have fears, but phobias tend to be viewed as unreasonable or excessive compared to standard fears.
The distress and anxiety caused by a germ phobia are out of proportion to the damage that germs are likely to cause.
Someone who has germaphobia might go to extreme lengths to avoid contamination.
The symptoms of germaphobia are the same as the symptoms of other specific phobias. In this case, they apply to thoughts and situations that involve germs.
The emotional and psychological symptoms of germaphobia include:
- intense terror or fear of germs
- anxiety, worries, or nervousness related to exposure to germs
- thoughts of germ exposure resulting in an illnesses or other negative consequence
- thoughts of being overcome with fear in situations when germs are present
- trying to distract yourself from thoughts about germs or situations that involve germs
- feeling powerless to control a fear of germs that you recognize as unreasonable or extreme
The behavioral symptoms of germaphobia include:
- avoiding or leaving situations perceived to result in germ exposure
- spending an excessive amount of time thinking about, preparing for, or putting off situations that might involve germs
- seeking help to cope with the fear or situations that cause fear
- difficulty functioning at home, work, or school because of fear of germs (for example, the need to excessively wash your hands may limit your productivity in places where you perceive there to be many germs)
The physical symptoms of germaphobia are similar to those of other anxiety disorders and can occur during both thoughts of germs and situations that involve germs.
They include:
- rapid heartbeat
- sweating or chills
- shortness of breath
- chest tightness or pain
- light-headedness
- tingling
- shaking or tremors
- muscle tension
- restlessness
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- difficulty relaxing
Children who have a fear of germs can also experience the symptoms listed above. Depending on their age, they may experience additional symptoms, such as:
- tantrums, crying, or screaming
- clinging to or refusing to leave parents
- difficulty sleeping
- nervous movements
- self-esteem issues
Sometimes a fear of germs can lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder. Learn more about how to determine if your child has this condition.
With germaphobia, the fear of germs is persistent enough to impact your day-to-day life. People with this fear might go to great lengths to avoid actions that could result in contamination, such as eating out at a restaurant or having sex.
They might also avoid places where germs are plentiful, such as public bathrooms, restaurants, or buses. Some places are harder to avoid, such as school or work. In these places, actions like touching a doorknob or shaking hands with someone can lead to significant anxiety.
Sometimes, this anxiety leads to compulsive behaviors. Someone with germaphobia might frequently wash their hands, shower, or wipe surfaces clean.
While these repeated actions might actually reduce the risk of contamination, they can be all-consuming, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
Passing concern about germs or illnesses isn’t necessarily a sign of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
With OCD, recurring and persistent obsessions result in significant anxiety and distress. These feelings result in compulsive and repetitive behaviors that provide some relief. Cleaning is a common compulsion among people who have OCD.
It’s possible to have germaphobia without OCD, and vice versa.
Some people have both germaphobia and OCD.
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.
Like other phobias, germaphobia often begins between childhood and young adulthood. Several factors are believed to contribute to the development of a phobia. These include:
- Negative experiences in childhood. Many people with germaphobia can recall a specific event or traumatic experience that led to germ-related fears.
- Family history. Phobias can have a genetic link. Having a close family member with a phobia or another anxiety disorder can increase your risk. However, they might not have the same phobia as you.
- Environmental factors. Beliefs and practices about cleanliness or hygiene that you’re exposed to as a young person may influence the development of germaphobia.
- Brain factors.
Certain changes in brain chemistry and function are thought to play a role in the development of phobias.
Triggers are objects, places, or situations that aggravate phobia symptoms. Germaphobia triggers that cause symptoms can include:
- bodily fluids such as mucus, saliva, or semen
- unclean objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, computer keyboards, or unwashed clothes
- places where germs are known to collect, such as airplanes or hospitals
- unhygienic practices or people
Germaphobia falls under the category of specific phobias in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
To diagnose a phobia, a clinician will conduct an interview. The interview might include questions about your current symptoms, as well as your medical, psychiatric, and family history.
The DSM-5 includes a list of criteria used to diagnose phobias. In addition to experiencing certain symptoms, a phobia typically causes significant distress, impacts your ability to function, and lasts for a period of six months or more.
During the diagnosis process, your clinician may also ask questions to identify whether your fear of germs is caused by OCD.
Most people take precautions to avoid common illnesses, such as colds and the flu. We should all be somewhat concerned about germs during flu season, for example.
In fact, it’s a good idea to take certain steps to lower your risk of contracting a contagious illness and potentially passing it on to others. It’s important to get a seasonal flu shot and wash your hands on a regular basis to avoid getting sick with the flu.
Concern for germs becomes unhealthy when the amount of distress it causes outweighs the distress it prevents. There is only so much you can do to avoid germs.
There may be signs that your fear of germs is harmful to you. For instance:
- If your worries about germs put significant limitations on what you do, where you go, and who you see, there may be reason for concern.
- If you’re aware that your fear of germs is irrational, but feel powerless to stop it, you may need help.
- If the routines and rituals you feel compelled to carry out to avoid contamination leave you feeling ashamed or mentally unwell, your fears may have crossed the line into a more serious phobia.
Seek help from a doctor or therapist. There is treatment available for germaphobia.
The goal of germaphobia treatment is to help you become more comfortable with germs, thereby improving your quality of life. Germaphobia is treated with therapy, medication, and self-help measures.
Therapy
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counselling, can help you face your fear of germs. The most successful treatments for phobias are exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Exposure therapy or desensitization involves gradual exposure to germaphobia triggers. The goal is to reduce anxiety and fear caused by germs. Over time, you regain control of your thoughts about germs.
CBT is usually used in combination with exposure therapy. It includes a series of coping skills that you can apply in situations when your fear of germs becomes overwhelming.
Medication
Therapy is usually enough to treat a phobia. In some cases, medications are used to relieve symptoms of anxiety associated with exposure to germs in the short term. These medications include:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Medication is also available to address symptoms of anxiety during specific situations. These include:
- beta blockers
- antihistamines
- sedatives
Self-help
Certain lifestyle changes and home remedies might help relieve your fear of germs. These include:
- practicing mindfulness or meditation to target anxiety
- applying other relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga
- staying active
- getting enough sleep
- eating healthy
- seeking a support group
- confronting feared situations when possible
- reducing caffeine or other stimulant consumption
It’s normal to feel concerned about germs.
But germ worries might be a sign of something more serious when they start to interfere with your ability to work, study, or socialize.
Make an appointment with a doctor or therapist if you feel like your anxieties surrounding germs are limiting your quality of life. There are numerous treatment methods that can help you.
5 phobias that are usually not addressed to a psychologist
Dislike insects, avoid dark alleys, fear packs of dogs, be afraid of injections - these are normal manifestations of the instinct of self-preservation. But when fears turn into phobias, fear spirals out of control and takes control of your life. We talk about the five most common phobias that can ruin your life for many years if you do not seek help from a psychologist.
Acrophobia
Acrophobia is the fear of heights. About 6% of the world's population live with it. A person with acrophobia tends to avoid bridges, towers, hills, rooftops, or balconies because the high ground makes them dizzy, nauseous, and even have a panic attack.
In some cases, acrophobia results from a traumatic experience. But there are people who are afraid of heights, although they have never climbed it. Modern psychological opinion is that this fear may have evolved as an adaptive response to an environment where the risk of falling from a height is very high.
Cynophobia
Cynophobia is the fear of dogs, which often results from a bite or aggressive behavior of an animal. But cynophobia can suddenly manifest itself in those who have never had conflicts with dogs before. Possible reasons include: anxiety was passed down from a parent who was afraid of dogs; phobic disorder arose against the background of an unstable nervous system, low self-esteem. Cynophobia is not just a fear of unfamiliar dogs, it is a strong uncontrollable fear that can ruin a person's whole life. For example, a cynophobe may avoid a certain street, assuming that he will meet dogs there. Or even stop leaving the house altogether.
Mysophobia
Mysophobia is a pathological fear of germs and viruses that has become more prevalent during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mizophobes are afraid of physical contact with other people, avoid touching surrounding objects and entering places where you can get infected: hospitals, public transport, etc.
So that the normal fear of catching an infection does not turn into mysophobia, it is worth understanding that there are reliable disinfectants against any pathogens. Among them are Smile Sterill Bio alcohol wipes that destroy all common viruses and bacteria.
Laboratory studies have shown that Smile Sterill Bio disinfectant wipes kill the polio virus in one minute. This means that they may have an antiviral effect against less resistant viruses, in particular SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19. For reliable disinfection, it is enough to treat your hands or any surface with napkins for one minute. Look for Smile Sterill Bio on store shelves or in the online store sfera.ua.
Trypanophobia
At least 10% of the adult population of the Earth is afraid of injections. Trypanophobes can feel overwhelming anxiety and even panic not only from the sight of the syringe, but also from the very thought that the injection will be painful, the needle may break or air bubbles will get under the skin.
This phobia is especially dangerous because such people avoid seeking medical help, even if it is needed immediately. In modern medical practice, patients with trypanophobia are helped to overcome anxiety by explaining in detail the course of the injection, telling what experiences are groundless, and using local anesthetics if the person is afraid of pain.
Aerophobia
Although air transport is considered one of the safest, it is almost more feared than others. Studies show that between 10% and 40% of American adults are afraid to fly. Aerophobes explain their fear in different ways: some are afraid of a plane crash and their inability to control the situation, others are afraid that something will happen to them during the flight, for example, a heart attack, and no one will be able to help. Aerophobe feels specific symptoms: shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, tremors, sweating, disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, disorientation. Because of this, aerophobes try to avoid flights and prefer road or rail transport, even if the trip takes longer and is not as comfortable.
Today, phobias are successfully managed with the help of exposure and cognitive-behavioral therapy, hypnosis and VR technologies - all of these methods can reduce the level of anxiety from contact with danger (even imaginary) to zero. So do not neglect the achievements of psychotherapy in order to free your life from limiting fears.
Panic afraid of microbes
The child is four years and three months old. He's been washing his hands constantly for the last couple of weeks. At first it pleased me, then it became annoying, I began to swear at him. I even slapped my hands once. I ask: why do you wash your hands all the time? He stands bewildered, then in a whisper answers: “Hands are dirty - there are germs!” Here's what you do! And on the hands the skin has already dried up and began to peel off. How to stop the son, what to tell him for this?
In order for a 4-5 year old child to be afraid of something, especially something as exotic as microbes, he must learn about them from somewhere.
Learn about the very fact of existence and the fact that microbes can be dangerous.
Sometimes someone close to you becomes the source of such information: the phrase that if you don’t wash your hands, you will get sick from germs, it is quite capable of zombifying a child of tender age and contributing to the development of obsessive-compulsive disorder (obsessive disturbing or frightening thoughts involuntarily appear) .
Another source may be watching a cartoon on your own, for example, "Microbes" about fixies. I have encountered this in my practice many times in similar circumstances. However, I think the point is not at all that the cartoon is bad and dangerous in itself. Rather, the reason is that the child watched it alone and independently drew conclusions from the information fragmented by the child himself.
Here the main character Dim Dimych, together with Nolik, examine microbes in a microscope, are horrified and begin to wash absolutely everything with antibacterial soap.
When they get to the point of washing soap with soap, Simka appears and explains to the boys why their actions are unreasonable: there are useful microbes, it is enough to wash hands with antibacterial soap every few hours, it is not at all necessary to do this without interruption...
Children often either don't inspect until this moment, or get so frightened that Simka and her comments are no longer heard.
To avoid false conclusions, it is necessary to watch cartoons with the child for the first time in order to answer his questions and make the right accents. An adult, oriented in the topic, is able to give adequate calm explanations.
What if the job is done and the child no longer leaves the bathroom and does not part with a bar of soap even in a dream? An adult still needs to watch the cartoon in order to understand what is at stake and make up a conversation with the baby.
Mom or dad must admit that they were wrong when scolding the child for washing hands (if this has already happened), and indicate their enlightenment: "Now I understand what's the matter.
