By: Asia Salmons

Germaphobia

What is Germaphobia?Germaphobia is the pathological desire to

wash one’s hands and body.It also involves a fear of dirt and

contamination.Germaphobia is also called mysophobia.

Who discovered Germaphobia?Germaphobia was first discovered by Dr.

Kaitlyn Gallagher in 1879.She discovered this disorder while examining

a patient that experienced symptoms of OCD.This patient’s OCD include constant hand

washing.

How does Germaphobia begin?Some have said that by experience in

everyday life, the brain can develop a strong fear of germs, including the ones that are actually beneficial.

The hand washing is your brain’s way of trying to protect you and your body.

SymptomsMany people who suffer through

Germaphobia have the compulsive feeling to constantly wash their hands.

Many people realize that their constant washing is ridiculous, yet continue to wash.

It’s a pathological need to stay away from germs that motivates germaphobes.

BehaviorMany germaphobes display certain

behavioral issues in public or private.They constantly wash their hands.They tend to avoid social settings.They avoid contact with things that they

consider “dirty” like doorknobs or other sick people.

This washing is like a ritual to germaphobes.

Is This Beneficial?While the constant cleaning and washing

might seem like a good thing, it’s quite the opposite.

With germaphobes using so much bleach, soap, and water, their bodies have become cracked and dry.

TreatmentAs with many psychological disorders,

germaphobia can be cured with the usual treatments:

MedicineTherapyPrograms that help people overcome their

fear

Famous GermaphobesHowie Mandel Adrian Monk (Not Tony

Shalhoub)

Environmental or Genetics?I believe that Germaphobia is environmental.This is due to the fact that our brain’s

develop the overprotective nature for our bodies from the experiences that we go through each day.

There is no one gene that determines whether or not we shall be germaphobes.