| Mysophobia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Germophobia |
| Specialty | Psychology |
Mysophobia (fromAncient Greek μύσος (músos), meaning "pollution", and φόβος (phóbos), meaning "fear"), also known asverminophobia,germophobia,germaphobia,bacillophobia andbacteriophobia, is apathological fear of contamination andgerms.[1] It is classified as a type of specificphobia, meaning it is evaluated and diagnosed based on the experience of high levels of fear and anxiety beyond what is reasonable when exposed to or in anticipation of exposure to stimuli related to the particular concept (in this case germs or contamination).[2]William A. Hammond first coined the term in 1879 when describing a case ofobsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibited in repeatedly washing one's hands.[3]
Common symptoms associated with mysophobia include abnormal behaviours such as excessive handwashing, wearing gloves or covering commonly used items to prevent contamination (without due reason), and avoiding social interaction or public spaces to avoid exposure to germs. Physical symptoms include common symptoms of anxiety such as light-headedness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and/or shaking in the presence of germs/contamination.[1]
Like many specific phobias, the exact causes of mysophobia are unknown. Bothgenetic andenvironmental factors may play a role.[1] Theclassical conditioning model posits that specific phobias are formed when an otherwise neutral event occurs simultaneously with a traumatic one, creating a long-term emotional association between the neutral subject and negative emotions, including fear and anxiety.[2] Research has demonstrated an association between mysophobia and diagnosis of other mental disorders.[4][medical citation needed] Other research has suggested that mysophobia is associated with poor understanding of microbes and a lack of time spent in nature.[5]
Treatment options for mysophobia include therapies such ascognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to gain control on the thought processes regarding the phobia, andexposure therapy which involves repeatedly exposing the patient to the specific object of the phobia to habituate them and relieve anxiety.[1] Pharmaceutical treatment options include the prescription ofbeta blockers andbenzodiazepines to mitigate phobia-relatedpanic attacks.[2]
People with mysophobia may display abnormal behaviours including:[1]
In addition to the above abnormal behaviours, anxiety-related physical symptoms of mysophobia include:[1]
As mysophobia is categorized under the umbrella of specific phobias in the DSM-V, the formal diagnosis of mysophobia is based on the presence of the following key features:[2]
Though there has been no formal evaluation of the prevalence of mysophobia in the general population, mysophobia has been associated with other anxiety disorders including OCD.[1] One study conducted by Bajwa, Chaudhry, and Saeed has found an association between pre-diagnosed mental illness and higher rates of severe phobias including mysophobia in women.[4] In another study, Robinson, Cameron, and Jorgensen argue that immune disorders may have become more common in recent times in part due to a lack of exposure to normal levels of dirt in the household among infants. This means that germaphobia has likely become more prevalent in the past few years, particularly with the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
As a specific phobia, the exact causes of mysophobia are unknown though many factors are thought to potentially contribute to the development of the condition. One commonly accepted theory known as the Classical Conditioning Model posits that specific phobias are formed when an otherwise neutral event occurs simultaneously with a traumatic one, creating a long-term emotional association between the neutral subject and negative emotions, including fear and anxiety.[2] Robinson, Cameron, and Jorgensen found in their study associations between microbe literacy and time spent in nature with positive attitudes towards microbes, suggesting that a lack of the aforementioned factors might contribute to mysophobia.[5]
Treatment for mysophobia typically includes therapy such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), which involves gaining control of cognitive process to reduce anxiety related to the phobia, or exposure therapy, which helps people gradually confront and overcome their fear through gradually exposing the individual to their phobia to allow them to become habituated. General stress reduction techniques such as yoga and meditation are useful for reducing anxiety associated with mysophobia, though these are not meant to treat or cure mysophobia directly.[1] Other therapeutic treatments for specific phobias include virtual therapy, hypnosis, family therapy, and supportive therapy, all of which aim to help the patient realize that the object of their phobia is not dangerous.[2]
In terms of pharmaceutical treatments, beta-blockers and benzodiazepines may be prescribed in severe cases to mitigate panic attacks associated with mysophobia.[2]
The termmysophobia comes from theGreek μύσος (mysos), "uncleanness"[6] and φόβος (phobos), "fear".[7]
Some well-known people who are reputed to have (or had) mysophobia includeAdolf Hitler,[8]Howard Stern,Nikola Tesla,Howard Hughes,Howie Mandel,Saddam Hussein,[9] andDonald Trump.[10][11]
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