Misophobia (germophobia, bacillophobia) is a pathological fear of dirt and microorganisms that can J. M. Robinson, R. Cameron, A. Jorgensen. Germaphobia! Does Our Relationship With and Knowledge of Biodiversity Affect Our Attitudes Toward Microbes? / Frontiers in Psychology to be in it.
In general, it is normal to be afraid of harmful bacteria. These fears turn into a phobia when thoughts about microbes become obsessive and constantly haunt a person, changing his behavior and well-being. For example, if he can't take hold of the door handle because there may be bacteria on it, he washes his hands endlessly and disinfects all the surfaces he touches.
This fear can also lead to social problems. A person may be afraid of handshakes and hugs, stay away from people so as not to inadvertently get infected from them, hardly tolerate visiting public places, including shops, restaurants and cafes.
Misophobia is Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder / National Institute of Mental Health a common symptom of obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD). This is a condition in which a person is haunted by obsessive thoughts — obsessions, after which he performs repetitive actions to relieve anxiety — compulsions. For example, if he is disturbed by thoughts of contamination and infection, he can wash his hands often and for a long time.
At the same time, OCD does not necessarily imply a fear of germs. People with this disease can suffer from a variety of obsessive thoughts.
Specific phobias are inherited S. Villafuerte, M. Burmeister. Untangling genetic networks of panic, phobia, fear and anxiety / Genome Biology in 30% of cases, so if your parents or other close relatives suffered from irrational fears, maybe you just had bad luck with the nervous system.
Not only genes can also be important, but also the influence of the environment. For example, if parents were afraid of germs, children are more likely to perceive bacteria as evil and defend themselves against them. In addition, a phobia can grow out of a negative experience — a serious illness or complications after it.
Moreover, the modern world seems to contribute to the development of misophobia. Thanks to advertisements demonizing bacteria, people are increasingly afraid of J. M. Robinson, R. Cameron, A. Jorgensen. Germaphobia! Does Our Relationship With and Knowledge of Biodiversity Affect Our Attitudes Toward Microbes? / Frontiers in Psychology microorganisms and tend to sterilize everything around — from the surfaces in the house to their own skin.
You can be L. Guo. Mysophobia / Elsevier a victim of this phobia if:
Also, misophobia can cause Phobia / Harvard Health Publishing physical symptoms of anxiety:
If the symptoms prevent you from living, working and studying, limit opportunities, complicate relationships and cause discomfort, you should think about finding a psychotherapist.
Any phobias are well treated Phobia / Harvard Health Publishing using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), specifically, desensitization procedures, or exposure therapy.
The essence of the technique is that a person gradually, at his own pace and in a comfortable environment, meets the object of fear and gets used to it. For example, he touches a dirty object, and then does not wash his hands for a while, trying to relax and calm down. Over time, the fear weakens, and a person gets used to frightening objects in real life.
If, in addition to the phobia, he has an obsessive‑compulsive disorder, the psychiatrist can turn on Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder / National Institute of Mental Health pharmacological support is included in the treatment plan, for example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
These drugs are usually used to treat depression, but also help to alleviate the symptoms of OCD.
