Nunn 1

Jessica Nunn
Biology 1010
4B
5/6/17
Mysophobia

Mysophobia, also commonly referred to as germophobia, is the fear of germs or

contamination pathologically. Mysophobia is also referred by many different names. These

include molysmophobia or molysomophobia, rhypophobia, and rupophobia. These terms

bacillophobia and bacteriophobia directly refer to the fear of bacteria and microbes in general.

Mysophobia term was established and termed by Dr. William ALexander Hammond in

1879. Which began by the description and shown of a person repeatedly washing ones hands or

self. This of course, just as any phobia, can differ in extremes. Each case being unique in many

ways.

Phobias of any kind are considered anxiety disorders. This is also compiled into the same

class as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and many others. All of which are based

upon fear. All research on any type of phobia or disorder is studied among animal observation.

Mysophobia is largely considered but also debated as under obsessive compulsive disorder

(OCD).

Mysophbia can be debated as only a symptom of OCD. Examples of this are, a person

who has anxiety or stress over common activities in fear of being infected or encounter germs.

By a person constantly cleaning themselves or their surroundings because of an obsessive

compulsion would be described as so. Both of which can be determined correctly with the
consideration of the specific situation of mysophobia. If a person cleans compulsively because of

anxiety or other stress related

Nunn 2

symptoms would be determined as OCD. Those living with mysophobia is determined by

behavior of showing actual fear of germs. They feel at risk to germs constantly.

According to Rehabs.com Mysophobia- Fear of Germs and Contamination, there are

signs of which a person has reached the point of mysophobia. The signs and questions so ask

yourself are as followed:

Do you avoid public restrooms at all costs?

Do you wear a mask or gloves in public in order to avoid contamination?

Do you refuse to leave the house rather than encounter germs?

Do you clean your house obsessively?

Do you wash your hands so many times every day that your skin cracks and bleeds?

Are you unable to work or attend school, go to family gatherings, and other events due to

your fear of germs?

By answering yes to any of the following, a person is recommended to see a psychiatrist or

doctor. By doing so, symptoms can be diagnosed properly.

There are a few options for treatment when it comes to Mysophobia. These top three

treatments are medication, physcotherapy, and exposure therapy. All of which show great

improvement to patients. Medication can assist in calming anxiety and OCD related to
mysophobia. This can assist slowly building to recovery. Physcotherapy is a personal physical

discussion therapy. This allows the patient to uncover the underlying cause for their diagnosis.

Nunn 3

patient to uncover the underlying cause for their diagnosis. This could range anywhere from

trauma, major life occurrences, or other issues reinforcing the fear of germs and contamination.

Lastly, exposure therapy would be showing the patient how to function around daily life that

may trigger exposure reactions. This can be an appropriate way to learn to function in these

situations by doing so in a controlled environment. Mysophobia can be considered an anxiety

disorder as well. This is all depending on the circumstances on the person and their signs.
 Nunn 4

References

http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/mysophobia-fear-germs-phobia-1024127

http://www.fearof.net/fear-of-germs-phobia-mysophobia/

https://www.verywell.com/being-a-germaphobe-can-be-an-ocd-symptom-2510487

http://luxury.rehabs.com/phobias/mysophobia/