What is Mysophobia?
Do you remember when you were a child and you played in dirt? Do you remember how fun it was? Well, it actually isn’t fun for a lot of people. Some people, especially those who have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), suffer from a condition called mysophobia. Mysophobia is a fear of dirt. The fear is derived from the idea that there are so many germs and bacteria in dirt that can cause you to get sick. Some people with mysophobia have other conditions that stem from OCD. OCD is constantly doing one (or many other things) several times because of a fear you might not have done it thoroughly enough, done it properly, or done it at all. For instance a person with mysophobia may constantly wash their hands because they don’t want dirt on them. If you don’t have mysophobia you might not understand what the big deal is, but for people with OCD, the fear is very real and upsetting. If you have mysophobia you might live your life trying to avoid dirt. You won’t let your children play in dirt
Mysophobia is an intense fear of dirt and uncleanliness. It is typically associated with a fear of contamination with germs; some people call it “germaphobia” as a result. This condition can have serious repercussions for people who suffer from it, as they may embark on radical lifestyle changes to avoid situations in which they may potentially be exposed to germs. There are several treatments for this condition which can allow mysophobes to live relatively normal lives. As with many psychological conditions, the root causes of mysophobia can be varied and difficult to trace. It may be related to various forms of trauma, for example, either experienced first hand or in the form of books and films. Some psychologists believe that conditions like mysophobia also experienced a sharp increase at the end of the 20th century, as people began to be concerned about conditions like AIDS. The severity of mysophobia varies. Patients tend to feel tense around potential sources of contamination, an
