I have a friend who's terrified of germs. When I cough, she covers her mouth. When she comes over to eat at my house, she inspects my dishes carefully to see if they're clean. She carries disinfectant everywhere she goes. If she could, she would sterilize her house. How do you help someone who's so paranoid?
2006-06-20 17:20:44 · 11 answers · asked by Ana 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
You can't really help someone with this type of disorder or fear. They have to want to get over it. Just let them do what they need to do. It makes them feel better. They won't be settled if you don't let them do the inspecting.
You might josh and joke about it if you can at least then they can be aware of it and not have it be that big a deal to either one of ya...
And just make sure your dishes are clean when she eats on them! lol or she may never come back!
2006-06-20 17:25:40 · answer #1 · answered by xxxcariooo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She's got an obsessive compulsive disorder and she needs to seek counseling. The way you can help her is to be supportive and attend the meetings with her. I have a little bit of a germ phobia too but I just use anti-bacterial lotion and I'm good to go. :D
2006-06-20 17:25:52 · answer #2 · answered by ♪ Tony's girl ♪ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wash my hands and use hand santizer before, during and after food preperation, i heat the meats to 160-180 degrees to kill bacteria/viruses. and i wash my hands after i eat and bush my teeth. when she covers her mouth, when you cough wouldnt the germs from her hand reach her mouth? also if you have a good nutritinous deit with lots of veggiesand fruits your likly hold of becomeing sick from those germs is low.
2006-06-20 17:25:29 · answer #3 · answered by Mark T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Such a fear of germs is called SPERMOPHOBIA - and usually stems from a childhood fear of getting infected, by dirty objects.
...The best, and long lasting solution to your friend's problems, is to undergo proper psychiatric therapy - which will help her overcome her phobia.
2006-06-20 17:29:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's obsessive compulsive and germ-phobic. She needs to talk to a doctor and get counseling and/or medication.
2006-06-20 17:24:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show her that using all that disinfectent **** only creates resistant bacteria that are more harmful. She'll realize that her obsession is only compounding the problem.
2006-06-20 17:23:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take her to a psychologist, i also know ppl like that...if i were you, i will really recommend to tell her to go to a specialist because this people often get o paranoid that their good skills are minimized thanks to this problem
2006-06-20 18:36:55 · answer #7 · answered by pablo_dmc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try first talking to her let her know that is brothers you good luck
2006-06-20 17:25:23 · answer #8 · answered by It's MEEEE!!!! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A therapist can help.
2006-06-20 17:24:12 · answer #9 · answered by ratboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh my gosh! I don't know what I would do, good luck though.
2006-06-20 17:22:49 · answer #10 · answered by ♥♡ღ••Kelly••ღ♡♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋