Mysophobia: Definition, causes, and treatment Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about mysophobiaMedically reviewed by Marney A. White, PhD, MS, Psychology — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on September 27, 2022Mysophobia is an extreme fear of germs and bacteria. It is commonly called germaphobia. People with mysophobia may go to great lengths to avoid contact with anything that could be contaminated, which might include other people as well as objects. The fear of germs can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, as they may be unable to participate in many activities or socialize with others. If a person has mysophobia, treatments such as exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be helpful. They work by helping a person confront their fears and identify and change their underlying thoughts and behaviors. This article provides an overview of mysophobia, including its causes, symptoms, and treatment options. What is mysophobia Share on PinterestMatthew Chua/EyeEm/Getty ImagesMysophobia is an intense and irrational fear of the following: germsdirt virusesbacteriaverminany other contaminants It is a type of specific phobia. Mysophobia goes by various other names, including:germophobiabacillophobiabacteriophobiaverminophobia Mysophobia is different than a general dislike of being dirty. People with mysophobia may go to extreme lengths to avoid anything that could be contaminated. This can make everyday activities very difficult, as even coming into contact with common objects can cause severe anxiety. People with mysophobia can have excessive thoughts, or obsessions, that lead to repetitive behaviors or compulsions. This condition is called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A person with this condition may obsessively clean their body and home or avoid touching anything they believe may be contaminated. Learn more about OCD and its causes. Causes Doctors do not fully understand what causes specific phobias such as mysophobia. A combination of factors may play a role, including:Trauma: A traumatic event, such as a severe illness, can trigger germ-related fears.Family history: Phobias may have a genetic link, with multiple family members having similar fears.Environmental factors: Certain beliefs or practices about cleaning or germs can predispose a person to mysophobia.Brain chemistry: Certain changes in the brain’s chemistry may contribute to a person developing phobias. Symptoms The symptoms of mysophobia can vary from person to person. However, they usually include obsessions about cleanliness. Other symptoms can relate to anxiety and panic about germs or fear of contamination. Some people may only experience mild anxiety, whereas others may have more severe panic attacks that negatively affect their quality of life. Mysophobia can bring on various physical symptoms of anxiety, including:sweatingtremblingshortness of breathdizzinessnauseadry mouthmuscle tensionheart palpitationsfeeling faintnumbness or pins and needlesconfusion As anxiety becomes more severe, people may also experience psychological symptoms, including:intrusive thoughtsfear of losing controlfear of dyingdetachment from reality Learn more about anxiety. Diagnosis Experts classify mysophobia as a specific phobia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR). This manual is a guide for mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders, and it includes specific criteria that a person must meet for a diagnosis. For a doctor to diagnose a person with a specific phobia, such as mysophobia, they must:have a persistent and intense fear of an object or situation, such as germsexperience disproportionate anxiety or panic when they face the object or situationhave symptoms that have lasted for at least 6 monthsexperience disruption to at least one major area of lifenot have another mental health condition that better accounts for the symptoms Tests There are no specific tests to diagnose mysophobia. Instead, a mental health professional will ask a person about their symptoms and how these affect their life. They may also ask whether there is a family history of anxiety disorders or phobias. Treatment The goal of treatment for mysophobia is to reduce anxiety and help a person learn to manage their fear. The treatment usually includes psychological therapy and medications. Therapy Behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments. It involves working with a therapist to identify and change negative thoughts and behaviors. Behavioral therapy involves gradually and gently bringing a person into contact with the thing they fear until they no longer feel anxious. This is called exposure therapy. Doctors also use CBT to teach people techniques to deal with anxiety. These might include: relaxationbreathing controlalternative thought processes Gradually, people learn to manage their anxiety through therapy until they no longer feel fear. Medication Doctors usually suggest therapy to treat mysophobia. However, in some cases, medications may help ease anxiety symptoms in the short term. A doctor may prescribe beta-blockers or antidepressants. Beta-blockers can help control the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a rapid heart rate and trembling. Antidepressants may take several weeks to work, but they can be helpful for people with severe anxiety. It is important to note that medication is not a cure for mysophobia and that people will need to continue with therapy to manage their symptoms. Learn more about the treatment of phobias. How to overcome mysophobia A person with mysophobia may find it helpful to seek treatment from a mental health professional. A counselor, friend, family member, or support group can help the person cope with their anxiety by providing emotional support. People with mysophobia may also benefit from relaxation techniques, such as:deep breathing exercisesyogameditation In addition, regular exercise may help reduce stress and anxiety. Summary Mysophobia is a specific phobia that causes intense anxiety and fear of germs. People with mysophobia may experience physical and psychological symptoms when they perceive a threat of contaminants, such as germs. The treatment for mysophobia typically includes behavioral therapy and medication. With treatment, people can learn to manage their anxiety. Anyone experiencing a fear of germs should seek professional help. A mental health professional can provide a diagnosis and work with the individual to develop an effective treatment plan. Last medically reviewed on September 27, 2022Mental HealthAnxiety / StressPsychology / Psychiatry 6 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). (2022). https://www.appi.org/Products/DSM-Library/Diagnostic-and-Statistical-Manual-of-Mental-Di-(1)?sku=2576Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (2016). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t11Phobias: Fact sheets. (n.d.). https://www.abct.org/fact-sheets/phobias/Qadir, M. I., et al. (2019). Questionnaire based study about association between blood oxygen level and mysophobia. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331275584_Short_Communication_Questionnaire_Based_Study_about_Association_between_Blood_Oxygen_Level_and_MysophobiaSamra, C. K., et al. (2022). Specific phobia. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499923Symptoms - phobias. (2022).http://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/phobias/symptomsFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Marney A. White, PhD, MS, Psychology — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on September 27, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageHow to recognize an anxiety attackMedically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH Learn about the symptoms of anxiety attacks, what causes them, and what to do about them. Find out also how an anxiety attack differs from a panic…READ MOREFear of being touched: Causes and treatments for haphephobiaMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD Haphephobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of being touched. In this article, we look at the causes, risk factors, and how to cope.READ MOREIs trypophobia real?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD Trypophobia is a condition in which a person has a fear of clusters of small holes. Learn what triggers the condition and how to treat it.READ MOREAtelophobia: Symptoms, causes, and treatment Atelophobia is the fear of imperfection. People with this phobia have an intense fear of flaws and mistakes. Learn more about it here.READ MOREWhat to know about abandonment issuesMedically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD The term "abandonment issues" describes a strong fear of losing loved ones, often due to past events. Learn the signs and treatments here.READ MORE