Tackling Methods of Mysophobia

Introduction

It is natural to be concerned about hygiene and illnesses, as germs are absolutely harmful. But, there exist a few people who encounter an overwhelming fear of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other germs. In addition, this fear drives them to obsession with washing hands often, disinfecting surfaces, and wearing gloves. It is reasonably common, affecting many adults.

What Are Phobias?

Phobias are intense fears of specific objects, situations, or activities that cause significant distress and anxiety. Phobias can develop from traumatic experiences, learned behaviors, or genetic predispositions. When confronted with their phobia, individuals may experience rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, or panic attacks.

What Is Mysophobia?

Mysophobia is a pathological fear of germs and their contamination. It is a profound distress resulting in fear regarding any microbes that are known to cause illness. The person has an intense fear of thinking and encountering a germ, dirt, vermin, bacteria, viruses, and other infectious agents. It is a type of specific phobia. Mysophobia is also referred to by different terms like bacillophobia, germophobia, vermiphobia, germaphobia, and bacteriophobia.

What Is the Difference Between Mysophobia and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Mysophobia has been related and considered to be obsessive to hand washing, though. Hand washing is the common determinant of mysophobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder; the motto for hand washing is dissimilar in two aspects. They have subtle differences; a mysophobic person is compelled to accomplish the acts of preventing germs, while OCD leans on compulsion over relieving the distress when the tasks are not completed.

What Causes Mysophobia?

The reason behind an irrational fear and obsession with germs is undetermined, as the condition does not rely on any causative agent. However, researchers say that certain determinants would contribute to the development of specific phobias.

• Genetics and mutation linkage play an essential role in phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and anxiety disorders.

• Past traumatic events.

• Severe illness of self or loved ones.

• Chemical imbalance of the brain resulting from alterations in neurotransmitters.

• Beliefs about germs and hygiene.

• Cleanliness practices.

What Are the Symptoms of Mysophobia?

As people with mysophobia go by any means to evade germs, they encounter a load of distress. So, they endlessly think about germs more than anything else. Thus, the psychological and behavioral changes are redirected as such.

Emotional Symptoms:

• Fear of illness and death.

• Unwelcome thoughts.

• Disorientation.

• Loss of control.

• Reality detachment.

• Avoidance and isolation.

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Washing hands more than required.

• Sanitizing often.

• Avoid socialization.

• Wrapping the personal and daily holdings.

• Conscientious and recurrent cleaning of the habitat.

• Many bathe a day.

• Prefer gloves to keep clear of germs.

• Diminishing exposure to public sectors by staying at home.

Physical Signs:

• Hot flashes.

• Lightheadedness.

• Irritability.

• Restlessness.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Gastrointestinal concerns

• Excessive sweating.

• Trembling.

• Heart palpitations.

How Can Someone Determine if They Have Mysophobia?

One may have mysophobia if they experience excessive fear or anxiety about germs, dirt, or contamination. This condition prompts individuals to avoid contact with bodily fluids, consumption of potentially contaminated food, and exposure to dirt and mold. Individuals may also exhibit symptoms like avoiding touching public objects, excessive hand washing, and fear of sick people. If these actions interfere with daily functioning or lead to distress, it is advisable to get professional assessment and assistance.

How Is Mysophobia Diagnosed?

Medical experts rely on a diagnostic criteria tool to analyze the specific phobia condition, as mysophobia is classified as a specific phobia. The person’s symptoms must meet the views of the criteria put forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders.

• Marked fear for a specific object.

• The considered object or situation precipitates an abrupt anxiety response.

• The person is aware that the sense of fear is not proportional to the phobic object.

• Subsequently, the one avoids and suffers the circumstances.

• The fear lasts for, at a minimum, a duration of six months.

• The fear and symptoms disrupt daily functioning and tasks.

• Finally, yet significantly, these signs are not determined under other mental illnesses.

And there are no tests or lab investigations accessible to diagnose mysophobia. Nevertheless, doctors will aid in inspecting examination, symptoms, and family history.

What Are the Treatment Options for Mysophobia?

As fear and obsessive cleaning rely on thoughts about germs that culminate in anxiety and distress, the intervention focuses on alleviating anxiety, hopelessness, and associated symptoms. Therapy works wonders. Psychotherapy is the first-line treatment for any cognitive illness.

1. Behavior Therapy:

Behavior therapy addresses and amends inaccurate thoughts. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a commonly employed behavioral treatment. Here, the therapist directs the reasons and beliefs that make the client fearful and unpleasant. Further, the therapist will discuss the issues and eventually provide guidance over coping with overwhelming fear.

2. Medications:

There is no drug for the condition of mysophobia. However, certain medications would relieve psychological distress.

• Beta-blockers such as Atenolol, Acebutolol, and Bisoprolol for elevated blood pressure, heart palpitations, and cardiovascular activities.

• Antidepressants, especially Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Dapoxetine, and Sertraline.

• At times, Benzodiazepines called sedatives are advised.

3. Exposure Therapy:

The common and best treatment for mysophobia is exposure therapy. The healthcare professional helps one explore the root and reason behind one’s fear of germs. It is not about exposing the person to germs but gradually heightening the thoughts about germs and exposing them to unsanitized surfaces. The treatment is carried on until the client has the fear and obsession nevermore.

How to Overcome Mysophobia?

No one can escape as the germs are everywhere in and around us. And the person can not seem to spend the whole day cleaning and cleaning, fearing the germs. This could suppress the person and their life. So, one must take a step forward by abiding by therapies and self-practices.

• Stay Healthy. Health is everything. Ingest a well-balanced diet and have a night of adequate sleep. Also, diminishing the caffeine intake would work.

• Mindfulness Recreations. Breathing exercises against stress are practical and evident. A deep inhale and exhale would limit the anxiety responses. Meditation opens the way for a calm mind and a stress-free day.

• Tackling Negative Thoughts. Try an alternate view to avoid irrational negative thoughts. An individual must modify their beliefs by not jumping to conclusions.

• Exposure: Expose the individual to fear and fear-provoking circumstances.

What Is the Outlook for People With Mysophobia?

The outlook for individuals with mysophobia depends on the severity of their symptoms and their willingness to seek treatment. With professional help many can learn to manage their fears. As therapy progresses, reliance on compulsive behaviors decreases, making daily life easier to navigate. Although they may retain heightened sensitivity to germs, they acquire coping mechanisms to confront exposures without succumbing to irrational fears. Without treatment, mysophobia may persist, hindering daily functioning and well-being.

Conclusion:

Mysophobia, also referred to as germophobia, describes the fear of germs. It is a kind of anxiety disorder that involves an irrational, intense fear of contamination. This is associated with excessive cleanliness. So, people with mysophobia might do excessive hand washing, fear social interactions, and avoid touching dirty surfaces. This is because they have significant concerns about germs. It is essential to know that if one or their loved ones are encountering such irrational fear, seeking professional help could be beneficial in treating this phobia and its associated anxiety.