Mysophobia: Symptoms, Cause and Treatment

Mysophobia is a type of phobia based on an intense and illogical dread of dirt, germs, or contamination. It is reasonable and wise to be concerned about things like food cross-contamination, coming into contact with other people’s bodily fluids, and practising excellent hygiene. But if you suffer from mysophobia, these common worries become exaggerated and interfere with day-to-day activities.

It included excessive involvement with hygiene, excessive use of cleaning supplies, and frequent hand washing. Additionally, people steer clear of potentially germ-filled environments since they know that they can damage relationships and cause social isolation. Exposure therapy and cognitive-behavioural therapy are very useful in the treatment of this illness. One aspect of mysophobia is an extreme dread of microorganisms and germs. It can lead people to avoid situations or people they believe may be contaminated with germs; it is frequently known as germophobia.

The impact that this dread can have on an individual’s capacity to go about their regular life can be profound. It can disrupt relationships, jobs, school, and other activities in addition to causing anxiety. Although fear is frequently associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), it can also occur in non-OCD sufferers. It is thought that people of many backgrounds might be impacted by the fear, which is rather widespread.

Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Mysophobia

Among the common signs of mysophobia are actions taken to protect oneself against infection or germs. Among these symptoms are possible:

• Having a cleaning obsession
• Using cleaning or sanitizing supplies excessively
• Acute fear of contracting an infection and washing too much
• Keeping away from areas that are believed to be filthy or full of germs

These symptoms might only show up when the thing you’re afraid of is visible, as when you’re digging in a garden, or when you think there may have been germ contact, such as when you use a doorknob or shake hands with someone.

You might shower more than once a day. You may often carry and apply hand sanitiser. You might not want to share food, use public facilities, or ride public transit.
Mysophobia is more than just a dislike of dirt and germs. People who suffer from this illness avoid people, things, and situations that could potentially contaminate them out of extreme and overwhelming fear.

It is significant to note that the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR) does not identify mysophobia as a separate disorder. Instead, if certain diagnostic criteria are met by the symptoms, it will be classified as a particular phobia. In order for a phobia to be identified, its symptoms must cause:

• Instantaneous anxiety reaction
• Avoidance or severe discomfort
• Excessive or unreasonable dread

Furthermore, these symptoms must interfere with the individual’s capacity to carry out daily activities in a variety of contexts. The symptoms must last for at least six months and cannot be brought on by another mental illness.

Reasons for having mysophobia

• Environment: It’s possible that cultural beliefs regarding germs and cleanliness influence how mysophobia develops.
• Brain anatomy: Variations in the brain can make a person more susceptible to anxiety disorders like particular phobias.
• Trauma: This can include going through a painful experience that makes a person obsessive about filth, germs, or contamination.
• Genes: Studies suggest that there may be a hereditary component to phobias, meaning that a family history of anxiety, depression, or other phobias may raise one’s chance of developing the disorder.
• Other mental health issues: An individual’s risk of developing mysophobia may increase if they have another mental health issue. Studies show that over 61% of individuals with specific phobias also suffer from other mental illnesses, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, anxiety disorders, or mood disorders.

Treatment for Mysophobia

Psychotherapy

Your therapist’s approach may determine whether to advise you to investigate the phobia’s underlying causes or whether to focus only on symptom management. Although there are many different forms of therapy that can be used to address phobias, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are two of the more successful methods.

The goal of cognitive behavioural therapy is to pinpoint and alter the harmful thought patterns that underlie the phobia. Exposure treatment aims to expose patients to the source of their fear in little steps over time. People can eventually learn to relax, and the terror reaction starts to decline. It has been discovered that online therapy is useful in the treatment of some mental health issues. Additionally, research indicates that virtual reality exposure therapy may be equally as successful as exposure therapy in the actual world.

Medication

Generally speaking, doctors do not prescribe medications by themselves to treat particular phobias like mysophobia. Extrinction-based psychotherapy, however, may be more successful for some patients with particular phobias if it is supplemented with certain drugs, such as glucocorticoids and seromycin (D-cycloserine). Participating in a phobia support group can be beneficial as well since it allows you to talk with others who have experienced similar things about resources and coping mechanisms. To find out whether there are any groups in your region, check with the local resources or search online.

Although mysophobia can cause a great deal of distress and disruption in your life, it’s crucial to keep in mind that there are helpful therapies accessible. While speaking with your physician is a wise first step, you can also work on your coping mechanisms to reduce stress and worry. If you believe you could also have OCD, get a diagnosis from your physician or a mental health specialist.

Receiving a precise diagnosis and the right care can alleviate your symptoms and enhance your general health. When a person with mysophobia believes that pollutants, like germs, are a threat, they may exhibit both physical and psychological symptoms. Mysophobia is usually treated with behavioural therapy and medicines. People can learn how to control their anxiety with treatment. Anyone afraid of germs ought to get therapy from a specialist. A mental health specialist can diagnose a patient and collaborate with them to create a successful treatment strategy.