Paranoia, phobia or what?

Question

Okay, this strange thing seems to dominate me lately. I have recently moved in the student accomodation where it's shared bathroom facilities, and I have noticed that I can't use the bath or the toilet properly without using my toilet seat wipes first, or using a soft bleach in the bath so I can use it straightaway if I must.

These days, I just CANNOT seem to use the toilet or bath without taking these steps first. Why is this? I never used to be like this. Even when I go out, either I hold myself until I get somewhere rather respectable to pee, or I just don't sit on the lav whilst peeing.
Is this a phobia of toilet or a fear of germs or what?

Proper, well thought answers will be appreciated. Thanks.

''Alicat'' I used to sit on the home toilet where I know that my family are clean.

Answer 1

Firstly I don't think you are paranoid. I am not a psychologist. from what I have read you may just be over cautious, but this could also be the onset of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), which is actually a very common anxiety disorder (it's not paranoia or insanity).

You have to ask yourself, How much does this effect your everyday life? Is it interfering with my normal life? How much do I believe that I am going to get contaminated? Does the thought of contamination dominate my thinking (obsession)? Do I have a set ritual (compulsion) that I use to get rid of these fears? Is the anxiety you feel about contamination so strong you feel you have to carry out certain behaviours?

These links will give you lots of information about OCD, so you can ascertain for yourself whether you think it is possible that you have this condition. Not all of the types of obsession mentioned here, (if any) will be applicable to you.

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+obsessive-compulsive+disorder.htm

http://www.anxietyhelp.org/information/ocd_symptoms_checklist.html

Like I said i'm not a psychologist, but I have suffered with a different form of OCD myself as part of a more complex anxiety disorder.

See your GP if you are concerned about your behaviour and fears.

Answer 2

Don't worry, I think this can happen more often than you would think - you have been used to living in your family home where the only people using your toilet and bath are your own family, and now you are sharing them with a whole load of new people. This can be a bit of a shock at the start, but you will get used to it. Cleaning the seat first is really not a problem - if you feel more comfortable, then do it. After a while though, you might find that you don't need to. You would only really have a problem if you were unable to use them at all.

Answer 3

This is not paranoia, because it isn't irrational: toilet seats and bath tubs really are dirty (although not as dirty as is commonly believed). It's not a phobia because you are willing to use them, as long as you've cleaned them first.

A possible explanation is that it is a very early/mild form of OCD - but don't worry! It is, in fact, quite normal to be worried about this and as long as it doesn't stop you doing things you want to, or going to particular places, it's not a problem. (However, if it gets any worse you should see a professional about it.)

Answer 4

Hi. Don't worry, this is quite normal. If i use a public toilet, i, like you, have to find a respectable one first. Even then, i stoop, i will NEVER sit on a public toilet. I do it because i think of the germs that may be left on the seats from others. So i am just like you. Do not worry. Its not a phobia, its just cleanliness issues.

Answer 5

At home even family dirt is comfortable because home is comfortable. I would just ignore it ...don't think about it much it will pass. In the past there was not such thing as a toilet seat wipe. Could be worse ...at least there is indoor plumbing.

If you are missing home and family drop them a line once in awhile. Give the new friends a chance too :)

Answer 6

Some people might think you have OCD, but I think that you simply are rather aware of just how disgusting these objects are because they are not properly cleaned or kept clean by others. You are taking obvious small precautions to insure your own well being without going overboard about it. Survival of self is one of the most basic instincts.

Answer 7

You're smart to do this. In college, I shared my bathroom with all sorts of weirdos. The worst were the hippie vegan chix. They never cleaned the place and they smelled like day-old bloody maxipad. AFter 4 months the tub went black cuz they dumped chemicals in and didn't clean (I bought shower shoes) and their shampoo levels just down one inch.

I always squatted over the toilet cuz they slept around with nasty people and who knows if they have herpes sores on their *** and sit on the toilet- EWWWWW.

Unless you live with clean people you're just gonna get continuosly paranoid. But over-sanitizing is always better than not.

Answer 8

It sounds as if a respectable need for cleanliness could have tipped over into OCD. I might be wrong but it can happen, if it's getting to such proportions that it's affecting daily life (which from what you've said it is) I would seek help from your gp who can refer you to a therapist if you need one.

I suffer from OCD characteristics although I've never actually been diagnosed, so I understand how easy it is for something to become this severe.

Answer 9

No ur not parinoid nor do u have a phobia ur just keeping clean we all do it well.............. the clean people anyway.
Or maybe ur shared accomodation has unhygenic people living their? Honestly theres nothing to worry about plus i refuse to use public toilets too their just so dirty and smelly knocks me ill.

Answer 10

You used to sit on the loo!!! Ew ! How could you!!
That's ok then. Nothing wrong with good hygiene.