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Do you worry about germs and getting ill?

Toxic

Do germs and the idea of getting ill worry you? I’ve wondered if this is related to autism as no one else in my family gets anxious about germs and illnesses. I’m the only neurodiverse one in my family and I’ve realized no one is freaked out by getting sick. I heard on the car radio about the recent norovirus outbreak and after work yesterday and this morning after going in town I came home washed my hands several times with soap and water, washed my phone with disinfectant and then changed all my clothes and put the worn clothes through the wash. I'm always told I overreact over this but to me it’s normal and makes sense to do this. Why risk infecting myself when I can disinfect items and reduce my chances of getting a cold of stomach virus? An early example was when I was at school a girl came in class and said she had been ill yesterday and I got so frightened I nearly had a panic attack and moved to a different table. It's always been something that worries me.

Parents

  • I relate with this soo much! According to a counsellor I saw it’s to do with anxiety, OCD and a little emetophobia with me. So probably autism related too! Since I was little I’ve dreaded getting sick and try my best to avoid it, always washing my hands etc.

    You might want to seek professional help for this, a counsellor may be able to help you figure this out, and give you some tips on how to manage it. As mine told me you need to expose yourself to germs to build up a resistance to them.

    You definitely aren’t alone with this though!

  • in reply to Deleted User

    I'm from the little bit of dirt does you good school of thought, I do wash my hands properly though and am very clear about cleanlines in the kitchen and bathroom.

    If the thought of things like norvirus worry you then include plenty of natural yogurt in your diet and drink kombucha to keep your gut health good and balanced.

    I'm not a fan of lots of laundry products and washing everything at a low temperature, partly it's because I'm allergic to many laundry products, but also things like dust mite eggs in bedding are killed by a 60.C wash. I never use anything like detol laundry products and only use anti-bac products sparingly and in certain circumstances, I think it could be a mistake long term as the bacteia might evolve and grow resistant. I also think it's a bit of greenwashing to tell us all to save enegry by washing clothes at low temperatures of longer, but to use more products, those products have to be manufactured and moved around th world, its the left hand paying the right.

    I agree that sinse covid lots of people are more aware of germs, but I think it's a good thing as anti-biotic restistance is a big issue and I think we became sloppy in our habits because we knew we had medicines readily available to cure things. But if we practiced the sort of basic cleanliness followed by our grandparents and great garandparents generations and took the time to clean small wounds and look after ourselves then we wouldn't need half as many medicines or products.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    You are of course absolutely right. I hate thinking about it but it is true, some dirt is good, it helps build up resistance just like getting ill from time to time helps build up resistance. A doctor told me washing your hands too much damages the skin, it can strip the natural oils from it apparently. I get it but I still don’t like it. That must sound weird and I can’t really explain it, I just really hate being unwell. Not just sickness but colds as well. When I’m ill I hate it, I just rest in bed and wait and hope it all passes quickly.

    On the grand scheme of things, touches wood, I’m not ill much. Normally get a cold maybe 2-3 times a year. Doubt it has anything to do with my hand washing and clothes cleaning, it’s more I avoid people, especially little children. I go out regularish but not very much really. I prefer to stay inside when possible. The outside world and its germs do scare me so much!

    I have been referred to CBT by my doctor, this is supposed to be really helpful when it comes to anxiety in general so I am hoping it can help me with some of the above, as well as my anxiety disorder. Time will tell.

    TheCatWoman said:
    If the thought of things like norvirus worry you then include plenty of natural yogurt in your diet and drink kombucha to keep your gut health good and balanced.

    Thank you so much for the info. I am in need of improving my GI health, it's not the worst but it could be a lot better, I have IBD and with the added anxiety I get both cause my stomach a lot of discomfort.

  • in reply to Deleted User
    Unknown said:
    I have been referred to CBT by my doctor,

    A word of advice here, CBT in its default form seems to not work for many autists - it needs to be adapted to cope with our peculiarities so I would ask the person/company providing the CBT how they can adapt if for autists so it doesn't potentially end up wasting everyones time.

    Unknown said:
    Normally get a cold maybe 2-3 times a year. Doubt it has anything to do with my hand washing and clothes cleaning,

    The transport mechanism for these viruses is largely airbourne and it relies of the tiny water droplets coughed, sneezed or even breathed out to sellt on a surfcace, be touched by you and get to your lips, eyes or nostrils to be able to get into your bloodstream.

    You can also breathe them in but a mask is the most effective barrier - not 100% but about as good as you can get practically.

Reply
  • in reply to Deleted User
    Unknown said:
    I have been referred to CBT by my doctor,

    A word of advice here, CBT in its default form seems to not work for many autists - it needs to be adapted to cope with our peculiarities so I would ask the person/company providing the CBT how they can adapt if for autists so it doesn't potentially end up wasting everyones time.

    Unknown said:
    Normally get a cold maybe 2-3 times a year. Doubt it has anything to do with my hand washing and clothes cleaning,

    The transport mechanism for these viruses is largely airbourne and it relies of the tiny water droplets coughed, sneezed or even breathed out to sellt on a surfcace, be touched by you and get to your lips, eyes or nostrils to be able to get into your bloodstream.

    You can also breathe them in but a mask is the most effective barrier - not 100% but about as good as you can get practically.

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