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What's your opinion on the people above? Are they overly obsessed with cleaning, or are they just being sanitary? Are they doing it to impress others, or for themselves only? And if they have children, do you think they should be homeschooled to avoid the viruses and other bacteria, or go to a normal school to not be affected by the same bacteria later in life?
The term phobia is actually a psychological disorder-in order to be a true phobia, it must be in combination: Disturbing, Atypical, Maladaptive and Persistent. Also, a phobia is different from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) which is different from Obsessive Disorder(OD) and Hypochondria.
I believe 'germophobe' is a bit nicer to the person / people than saying 'clean freak' or 'germ freak.' I'm going by respect with the name. I do not mean they are scared of germs, although they could be. I'm saying they either can't stand them, or they don't want to have them around.
OCD is closely related to phobias, in that you treat them the same way, and they have similar symptoms. Though excessive cleanliness is typically due to OCD (a cleaning ritual to alleviate the fear of having come into contact with a nonspecific germ or a chemical), and not to an actual phobia (a fear of germs). Or rather, as you see, there is generally some degree of overlap.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elflet
For the second there I thought this thread was German-related.
^Lol.
Germophobes are pretty weird imo, I don't see whats wrong being all clean and sanitary. Its more of an extreme thing and they need someone to talk to. I don't like germs at all, and I like a clean enviroment. I don't want germs to ruin my life at all because of that.
You can't help it if you're afraid of something, I guess.
You can like, try to get over it, or take chill-pills, but you'll always have that fear.
I for instance have a fear of airplanes. ._.
Germophobes are very anal retentive people.
Having actually been a germaphobe (>_> @ people hating...), I can say with some pretty good certainty that it is one of the most miserable and lonely things that one could probably experience. You're basically afraid... of everything that exists outside your own person. It is horrible, and I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy.
Over the years, I've improved stupendously and have gotten to the point where I can function normally now. (there are little things here and there, but they are trivial and unnoticeable)
It definitely stems from OCD, which can manifest it's self in, well, anything really. I'm told it's an off-shoot side effect after adjusting with high-functioning autism, which I can't say for certain that is the case, but it is a reasonable possibility.
And, if I may, just say one last important note: I attribute my success with the OCD/germaphobia to the help and support from all of my friends. Probably the LAST thing you should do if you in fact know someone with a problem as such is to ostracize and ignore/make fun of them; this will only hurt the person more and most likely make the problem even worse.