Mysophobia

Mysophobia, also known as verminophobia, germophobia, germaphobia, bacillophobia and bacteriophobia, is a pathological fear of contamination and germs, from the Greek mysos, pollution, and phobos, fear. It is classified as a type of specific phobia, evaluated and diagnosed based on the experience of fear and anxiety beyond what is reasonable when exposed to or anticipating exposure to germs or contamination; physician William A. Hammond coined the term in 1879 while describing a case of obsessive-compulsive disorder exhibited through repeated handwashing. Common symptoms include excessive handwashing, wearing gloves or covering commonly used items to prevent contamination, and avoiding social interaction or public spaces, alongside physical anxiety symptoms such as light-headedness, rapid heartbeat and sweating; treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, beta blockers and benzodiazepines.