By: Asia Salmons Germaphobia

What is Germaphobia? Germaphobia is the pathological desire to wash ones 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 She discovered this disorder while examining a patient that experienced symptoms of OCD. This patients 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 brains way of trying to protect you and your body.

Symptoms Many 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. Its a pathological need to stay away from germs that motivates germaphobes.

Behavior Many 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, its quite the opposite. With germaphobes using so much bleach, soap, and water, their bodies have become cracked and dry.

Treatment As with many psychological disorders, germaphobia can be cured with the usual treatments: Medicine Therapy Programs that help people overcome their fear

Famous Germaphobes Howie Mandel Adrian Monk (Not Tony Shalhoub)

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