Are you a germophobe? Typically, a fear of germs is actually not a phobia. Often, it is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known informally as “contamination OCD.”
with contributions from Gabrielle Ilagan
What is Contamination OCD?
OCD comes in many forms, and contamination OCD is one of them. People with contamination OCD experience obsessions about being harmed or contaminated by germs, dirt, chemicals, or other substances that they view as harmful. Sometimes their concern is about a specific disease like HIV, COVID, or hepatitis. Other times contamination is less well-defined.
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