Mysophobia | |
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Other names | Germophobia |
Specialty | Psychology |
Mysophobia, also known as verminophobia, germophobia, germaphobia, bacillophobia and bacteriophobia, is a pathological fear of contamination and germs.[1] It is a specific type of phobia, which is defined as "an ongoing intense fear or anxiety of a certain object, animal, activity, or setting that poses little to no actual danger."[2] The term was coined by William A. Hammond in 1879 when describing a case of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibited in repeatedly washing one's hands.[3] Mysophobia has long been related to compulsive hand washing.[4] Names pertaining directly to the abnormal fear of dirt and filth include molysmophobia or molysomophobia, rhypophobia, and rupophobia, whereas the terms bacillophobia and bacteriophobia specifically refer to the fear of bacteria and microbes in general.[5][unreliable source?]
The term mysophobia comes from the Greek μύσος (musos), "uncleanness"[6] and φόβος (phobos), "fear".[7]
Signs and symptoms
People with mysophobia may display signs including:[8][citation needed]
- excessive hand-washing
- an avoidance of locations that might contain a high presence of germs[1]
- a fear of physical contact, especially with strangers
- excessive effort dedicated to cleaning and sanitizing one's environment
- a refusal to share personal items
- a fear of becoming ill
Mysophobia greatly affects the everyday life of individuals and can range in severity of symptoms from difficult breathing, excessive perspiration, increased heart rate, and states of panic when exposed to germ-enhanced conditions.[8]
Cause
There are many underlying factors and reasons that a person may develop mysophobia, such as anxiety, depression, or a traumatic situation.[8] Developing in a culture where hygiene is heavily integrated into society (use of hand sanitizers, toilet seat covers, and antibacterial wipes for commonly used items such as grocery carts), can also be a main driving force for the development of mysophobia.[8]
Treatment
Treatment for mysophobia typically includes therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or exposure therapy, which helps people gradually confront and overcome their fear.[1] Self-help techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation and mindfulness, as well as education about germs and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, can also be helpful in managing mysophobia. It can be helpful for individuals to engage in activities that challenge their fear, such as touching public objects or shaking hands with others.
It's important to note that mysophobia is a treatable condition and seeking help from a mental health professional can greatly improve the quality of life for those who suffer from this phobia. With the right treatment and support, people with mysophobia can learn to manage their fear and regain control of their lives.[9]
Society
Some well-known people who have (or had) mysophobia include Adolf Hitler,[10] Howard Stern, Nikola Tesla, Howard Hughes, Howie Mandel, Saddam Hussein, and Donald Trump.[11][12]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Mysophobia (Germophobia): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ "Phobia - simple/specific: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-24.
- ^ Hammond, William Alexander (1879). Neurological Contributions. Putnam. p. 40 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ "Cleanliness Rules Germaphobes' Lives". WebMD. Archived from the original on November 2, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ "Bacillophobia – Fear of microbes". Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
- ^ μύσος Archived 2021-02-24 at the Wayback Machine, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ φόβος Archived 2021-02-25 at the Wayback Machine, Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon, on Perseus
- ^ a b c d Smith, Kathleen. "Mysophobia (Germophobia): Are You a Germaphobe?". Psycom. Archived from the original on 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
- ^ "Mysophobia (fear of germs or contamination)".
- ^ "It's No Coincidence That Hitler Was a Germaphobe". Big Think. Retrieved 2023-01-11.
- ^ Thomas, Sarah (2014-03-24). "Famous Germaphobes". NHPR. New Hampshire Public Radio. Archived from the original on 2019-11-14. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
- ^ Lippman, Daniel (July 7, 2019). "The Purell presidency: Trump aides learn the president's real red line". Politico. Archived from the original on January 25, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2021.