Intense fear of dirt - Mysophobia

Mysophobia also known as germaphobia or germ phobiais the intense fear of dirt, germs and contamination. As a result of this fear of contamination by germs those with germophobia tries to avoid situations where there is a chance to get exposed to dirt. Due to this behaviour others might avoid the one with mesophobia and he might get isolated. Mostly Americans are affected by this disease. This phobia may be related to Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and hypocondriasis.

Symptoms

Nausea

Breathlessness

Tension

Increased heart rate

Washing hands frequently

Stress

Mental anguish

Those with this phobia got unreasonable repeated behaviour like washing hand repeatedly, avoiding public public bathrooms, hesitating to share personal items etc.Some might even refuse to shake hands, touch door knobs etc.

Causes

Various kinds of trauma is considered as the cause of this phobia. It is believed that those with mysophobia has increased considerably with the outcome of diseases like AIDS. Increase in Hygeine products is yet another cause. Those with a character of anxiety or worry may develop this phobia. It may be triggered by a television show also.

Treatment

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy where the cause of disease is diagonised and treated. Meditation, and hypnosis is also good for its treatment. Medication involves use of anti depressive drugs like Zoloft, Prozac or Paxil. But this might cause side effects and can not treat disease permanently. These SSRIs and SNRIs helps to increase serotonin levels in brain. Klonopin and xanax are Benzodiazepines commonly prescribed by people. Inderal is a beta blocker that help to control anxiety. Nardil and Parnate are MAOI's that are very effective but have diet controls. Hypnotherapy, energy psychology and neuro-linguistic programming are also found effective. Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) like Energy Psychology is emerging as excellent therapies for Mysophobia. Energy therapy makes you active, changes your behaviour, controls your thought pattern, relaxes and develops certain skills useful for lifetime. It can be called as emotional acupuncture.

Alternate Medicines

Herbal medicine is helpful to reduce anxiety and control emotions. Thus it is helpful to patients with phobias.

Links

http://www.depression-guide.com/phobia/mysophobia.html

http://phobias.about.com/od/phobiaslist/a/mysophobia.htm

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080531194036AAQComF

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/mysophobia.htm

http://www.fearofgerms.com/

http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f33/mysophobia-germophobia-47405/

http://www.phobiaq.com/phobia/mysophobia.html