Mysophobia

Woman holding medical mask over nose and mouthMysophobia is a phobia—an extreme fear—of germs or contamination. The central feature of this phobia is not just concern about germs but an obsessive fear of any kind of contamination, including by illness, dirt, body fluids, or bacteria.

About Mysophobia

Germs and contamination do pose some danger, and so a reasonable fear of germs cannot be construed as mysophobia. A fear of germs only becomes a phobia when it is both unreasonable and interferes with normal activities. A person who washes their hands more than normal may be unreasonably cautious, but if hand washing does not interfere with normal life or the fear of germs does not cause them discomfort or stress, then the frequent hand washing is not properly construed as mysophobia.

In recent years, the use of antibacterial products has become increasingly common. Some mental health professionals believe that this increased awareness of germs has increased the frequency with which people develop mysophobia. Ironically, the overuse of such products can actually create antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are much more dangerous.

Symptoms of Mysophobia

To be diagnosed with mysophobia, a person’s avoidance of germs cannot just be eccentric. It has to interfere with one or more life activities or threaten the person’s health. Common traits associated with mysophobia include:

  • Obsessive hand washing
  • Avoidance of places perceived to be full of germs or contamination
  • Fixation on cleanliness
  • Overuse of sanitizing products
  • Fear of one’s children becoming contaminated; for example, by refusing to allow visitors to interact with a baby

Treatment for Mysophobia

Mysophobia can have obsessive-compulsive elements, and some people with this phobia also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Therapy designed to treat OCD, therefore, can also help some people with germ phobias. A combination of education about the risks of overly sanitized environments, exposure therapy, and psychotherapy designed to address any underlying causes can be helpful. Some people with mysophobia benefit from hypnosis or the use of anti-anxiety medications.

References:

  1. Carmin, C. N. (2009). Obsessive-compulsive disorder demystified. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press.
  2. Mysophobia. (n.d.). Epigee.org. Retrieved from http://www.epigee.org/mental_health/mysophobia.html

Last Updated: 08-12-2015