Germophobia Vs. Healthy Precautions Against Germs

Distress Caused Outweighs The Benefits

Avoiding public restrooms, wearing a mask and gloves to avoid contamination, washing hands so often that the skin cracks and bleeds, and cleaning the house obsessively: When it comes to taking healthy precautions against germs, if the distress caused outweighs the benefits, it is a sign germophobia is likely at play. An individual experiencing distress, both physical as well as mental, due to an obsession with cleanliness should seek professional counsel. The good news is this type of phobia is easy to treat. Exposure therapy (to provide a controlled and safe exposure to germs), psychotherapy (to address underlying causes), and medications are a few examples of treatment for germophobia.

Uncover more about when germophobia is at play now.