Mysophobia: The Fear of Germs and Dirt

Are you constantly afraid of germs on public surfaces, or do you have a hard time trusting food that you did not prepare yourself due to the possibility of contamination? Though it is important to be aware of germs, being perpetually afraid of any possible pathogen or bacteria is very difficult in the interconnected world that we live in today. Mysophobia, or more commonly known as “germaphobia”, is the intense fear of dirt and germs of any kind. The phobia is frequently associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and often the two go together. OCD obsessions are associated with urges to repeatedly and continuously perform certain actions that can create distress or anxiety for a person.  Most germaphobes feel the strong need to constantly be washing their hands and take other measures to avoid coming into contact with contaminated surfaces of any kind. 

Photo from: https://undepress.net/mysophobia/

Symptoms of mysophobia arise when a person either comes into contact with a potentially contaminated surface or is exposed to dirt of some kind. These symptoms include shaking, increased heart rate, crying, or sweating. Though not all people experience mysophobia in the same way, typically, responses occur regardless of whether the perception of germs can be physically observed or not. For example, they can occur when the object of the phobia can be seen, such as dirt and dust on a computer keyboard, or just when the germ contact is perceived to have occurred, like touching the handle when flushing a toilet. 

Typically, one can recognize signs of mysophobia in other individuals based on the preventative measures that they take within daily tasks. Individuals with mysophobia may profusely wash their hands until they almost bleed, or spend excessive time cleaning their belongings. Others may avoid physical contact with others, avoid public spaces believed to be germ-filled, or refuse to share any items with others. What makes mysophobia different from an awareness of germs is the manner in which it inhibits daily interactions with others and personal relationships. Travel and work may become virtually impossible as a result of the phobia as well. 

In regard to the cause of the phobia, mysophobia can often be linked to anxiety and depression if it runs in your family. The phobia can manifest as a coping mechanism for anxiousness and worry. Others may experience a traumatic event with germs, or a debilitating illness in their past that leads them to become perpetually afraid of even day-to-day germs. Other experts have taken a more learned approach in investigating the cause and the phobias increased frequency in recent years. They attribute an increase in mysophobia to the increased abundance of cleaning materials and hygiene products. New items like toilet seat covers and constantly accessible hand sanitizers can positively increase awareness of germs to the general public, but can also trigger a fear or need in others to constantly be cognizant of the potential germs on every surface around you. The newly perceived need to continually sanitize and clean can create unrealistic expectations for cleanliness and add the intensity of the fear of contamination.

Because the fear of germs is frequently associated with OCD tendencies, medication is more frequently used as a treatment plan for mysophobia as opposed to treatment for other phobias. However, if seeking to get to the root of the fear, exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapies can be more beneficial in the long run and help the patient grow out of the phobia. 

Be careful when making fun of someone or claiming someone to be a “germaphobe”! It is a serious phobia that can be detrimental to a person’s day-to-day happiness and comfort!

Information from: 

https://www.psycom.net/mysophobia-germophobia

https://www.verywellmind.com/all-about-msyophobia-fear-of-germs-2671871

 

5 thoughts on “Mysophobia: The Fear of Germs and Dirt

  1. I’m gonna be frank, I don’t think I have this phobia, but I do admit to needing to wash my hands when I get off public transport. I for one don’t like being dirty (asterisk on this one, because like I don’t mind when I go camping or play outside and get dirty) and I wash my hands a fair bit. Great post!

  2. That is so interesting that, ironically, an increase in cleaning products has actually lead to an increase in mysophobia! But you can see how that could happen! Increased awareness leads to increased concern. Personally, I am very concerned with germs and getting sick. After coming to college, I became even more aware of germs, as so many students tend to get sick. Interesting post!

  3. There’s such a fine line between making sure that you’re protecting yourself from germs by being conscious of hand washing and sanitizing surfaces and having a detrimentally obsessive fear of germs! Working at a preschool, I definitely aggressively washed my hands and avoided touching germy surfaces, but thankfully it’s never developed into a full blown fear!

  4. I think is would be so difficult to live in this world with this phobia. Since almost everything in the air and so much has germs. I know of some people in which their case is so severe they refuse to leave their homes. Which is upsetting to me because it is so restricting and life controlling in a way. Although I wish people in a way would be more clean in general, to prevent from germs spreading and people getting sick.

  5. I didn’t understand too much about this phobia before this post. I just assumed it was someone who would wash their hands super often. But evidently I am very wrong and it goes way deeper than that.

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