10 Common Fears & Phobias
8. Germaphobia (Fear of Germs)
Germaphobia refers to the irrational fear of germs, such as bacteria, parasites or viruses. Other names for it include bacillophobia, verminophobia, mysophobia and bacteriophobia. People who have this phobia typically experience emotional and behavioral symptoms. These include intense terror of germs, feeling powerless around germs, avoiding situations that result in exposure to germs and difficulty functioning due to the thought of germs.
Along with shaking and sweating, other physical symptoms include muscle tension, headache, tingling, difficulty relaxing and restlessness. This phobia often leads to obsessive-compulsive disorder. A person with this anxiety may frequently shower, wash hands or wipe down surfaces. Causes may include environmental factors, brain factors or family history. Treatment may include therapy, a support group or lifestyle changes, such as meditation, caffeine reduction and getting enough sleep.
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