What Is Mysophobia?

Mysophobia is an excessive fear of germs. Learn more about what causes this fear, how to spot the symptoms, and what to do if you think you might have mysophobia.

January 17, 2025 · 12 min · 2425 words · Eric Christensen

Table of Contents

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Mysophobia?SymptomsDiagnosisCausesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Mysophobia?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Mysophobia involves a severe fear of germs and bacteria. It is sometimes referred to as germophobia, and can cause people to avoid people or object they think might be contaminated with germs.

This fear can have a significant affect on a person’s ability to function in their daily life. In addition to creating distress, it can also interfere with work, school, relationships, and other activities.

At a Glance

Mysophobia is a type of phobia that centers on an extreme and irrational fear of germs, dirt, or contamination. It is normal and prudent to be concerned about issues such as cross-contamination of foods, exposure to the bodily fluids of others, and maintaining good hygiene. However, if you have mysophobia, these normal concerns become overblown and disruptive to everyday life.

The phobia is often linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but people who don’t have OCD can have it as well. The phobia is believed to be fairly common and can affect people from all walks of life.

Symptoms of Mysophobia

Common symptoms of mysophobia include behaviors that are used to avoid exposure to germs or contamination. These symptoms may include:

If you have mysophobia, you may experience certain symptoms when you are exposed to dirt or bacteria. Such symptoms can include:

These symptoms may occur only when the object of your phobia is visible, as is the case when digging in a garden, or when you believe that germ contact may have occurred, such as when shaking hands with someone or using a doorknob.

You may take multiple showers each day. You might carry and use hand sanitizer frequently. You may be unwilling to use public restrooms, share food, or take public transportation.

RecapMysophobia can lead to a number of behavioral and emotional symptoms such as avoidance, anxiety, and physiological signs of fear and panic.

Recap

Mysophobia can lead to a number of behavioral and emotional symptoms such as avoidance, anxiety, and physiological signs of fear and panic.

How Is Mysophobia Diagnosed?

Mysophobia goes beyond disliking germs and dirt. People with this condition have an intense and excessive fear that causes them to avoid any person, object, or situation that might lead to contamination.

It is important to note that mysophobia is not recognized as a distinct condition in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5-TR). Instead, it would be considered a specific phobia if the symptoms meet a specific set of diagnostic criteria.

To be diagnosed with a specific phobia, symptoms must lead to:

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 12.5% of U.S. adults experience some form a specific phobia at some point during their lives.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mysophobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with mysophobia, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Specific Phobia DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria

Complications of Mysophobia

Over time, these behaviors can lead to isolation. Your friends and relatives might not understand, and they could perceive you as hostile or even paranoid. You could developsocial phobia, in which you begin to fear contact with others.

How to Overcome a Fear of Social Situations

What Causes Mysophobia?

The exact causes of mysophobia are not entirely clear, although a number of different factors are believed to play a role. Some things that can increase the risk of developing a phobia such as mysophobia include:

Mysophobia and OCD

Mysophobia is thought to be related toobsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD obsessions are repeated, persistent, and unwanted urges or images that cause distress or anxiety. These obsessions may intrude when you’re trying to think of or do other things.

Obsessions often have themes, such as:

One of the most common symptoms of mysophobia is frequent hand washing, which is also acommon symptom of OCD. However, the motivation for handwashing is different.

Mysophobia vs. OCDPeople with OCD are compelled to relieve the distress they experience as a result of the non-completion of the act itself, while people with mysophobia are compelled to complete the act specifically to remove germs. The difference is subtle, and many people experience both conditions, so it is important to see a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Mysophobia vs. OCD

People with OCD are compelled to relieve the distress they experience as a result of the non-completion of the act itself, while people with mysophobia are compelled to complete the act specifically to remove germs. The difference is subtle, and many people experience both conditions, so it is important to see a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis.

The Difference Between Disorder and Normal Anxiety

Treatment for Mysophobia

Fortunately, mysophobia can be successfully managed. It is important to visit a mental health professional as soon as possible since the condition tends to worsen over time. Treatments that your therapist may recommend include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two.

Psychotherapy

Depending on your therapist’s orientation, you may be encouraged to explore the root of the phobia, or you may simply be taught how to manage the symptoms.

There are a number of types of therapy that can be used to help treat phobias, but two of the most effective approaches are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy.

Online therapy may be another option you might want to consider. Online therapy has been found to be effective in the treatment of a number of mental health conditions. Studies also suggest that virtual reality exposure therapy can be just as effective as real-world exposure therapy.

The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

Medication

Medications are not usually prescribed on their own to address specific phobias such as mysophobia. However, some research indicates that for some people with specific phobias, augmenting expsoure therapy with certain medications, including Seromycin (D-cycloserine) and glucocorticoids, can make extrinction-based psychotherapy more effective.

Medicationsmay also be prescribed to help manage some symptoms or to treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Medications are most effective when they are used in combination with psychotherapy.

How to Cope With Mysophobia

In addition to getting professional treatment, there are other self-help strategies you can use to help find relief. Some techniques you might want to try include:

You may also find it helpful to join a phobia support group where you can discuss resources and coping strategies with people who have had similar experiences. Check with local resources to see if there are any groups in your area or look online for available resources.

Takeaway

Mysophobia can create significant distress and disruption in your life, but it’s important to remember that effective treatments are available. Talking to your doctor is a good place to start, but you can also practice coping strategies on your own that will help relieve stress and anxiety.

If you think that you may also have OCD, see your doctor or a mental health professional for a diagnosis. Getting an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help you find relief and improve your overall well-being.

Psychotherapy Types and Techniques

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Robinson JM, Cameron R, Jorgensen A.Germaphobia! Does our relationship with and knowledge of biodiversity affect our attitudes toward microbes?Front Psychol. 2021;12:678752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678752Fischer S, Haas F, Strahler J.A systematic review of thermosensation and thermoregulation in anxiety disorders.Front Physiol. 2021;12:784943. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.784943Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Meier SM, Deckert J.Genetics of anxiety disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019 Mar 2;21(3):16. doi: 10.1007/s11920-019-1002-7University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.Wardenaar KJ, Lim CCW, Al-Hamzawi AO, et al.The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys.Psychol Med. 2017;47(10):1744-1760. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000174University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XWechsler TF, Kümpers F, Mühlberger A.Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?-A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standardin vivoexposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1758. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01758Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Davidson P, Pace-Schott E.The role of sleep in fear learning and memory.Curr Opin Psychol. 2020;34:32-36. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.08.016

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Robinson JM, Cameron R, Jorgensen A.Germaphobia! Does our relationship with and knowledge of biodiversity affect our attitudes toward microbes?Front Psychol. 2021;12:678752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678752Fischer S, Haas F, Strahler J.A systematic review of thermosensation and thermoregulation in anxiety disorders.Front Physiol. 2021;12:784943. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.784943Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Meier SM, Deckert J.Genetics of anxiety disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019 Mar 2;21(3):16. doi: 10.1007/s11920-019-1002-7University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.Wardenaar KJ, Lim CCW, Al-Hamzawi AO, et al.The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys.Psychol Med. 2017;47(10):1744-1760. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000174University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XWechsler TF, Kümpers F, Mühlberger A.Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?-A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standardin vivoexposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1758. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01758Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Davidson P, Pace-Schott E.The role of sleep in fear learning and memory.Curr Opin Psychol. 2020;34:32-36. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.08.016

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Robinson JM, Cameron R, Jorgensen A.Germaphobia! Does our relationship with and knowledge of biodiversity affect our attitudes toward microbes?Front Psychol. 2021;12:678752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678752Fischer S, Haas F, Strahler J.A systematic review of thermosensation and thermoregulation in anxiety disorders.Front Physiol. 2021;12:784943. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.784943Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.Meier SM, Deckert J.Genetics of anxiety disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019 Mar 2;21(3):16. doi: 10.1007/s11920-019-1002-7University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.Wardenaar KJ, Lim CCW, Al-Hamzawi AO, et al.The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys.Psychol Med. 2017;47(10):1744-1760. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000174University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-XWechsler TF, Kümpers F, Mühlberger A.Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?-A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standardin vivoexposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1758. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01758Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353Davidson P, Pace-Schott E.The role of sleep in fear learning and memory.Curr Opin Psychol. 2020;34:32-36. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.08.016

Robinson JM, Cameron R, Jorgensen A.Germaphobia! Does our relationship with and knowledge of biodiversity affect our attitudes toward microbes?Front Psychol. 2021;12:678752. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.678752

Fischer S, Haas F, Strahler J.A systematic review of thermosensation and thermoregulation in anxiety disorders.Front Physiol. 2021;12:784943. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.784943

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.Table 3.11, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Specific Phobia Comparison.Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health[Internet]. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2016.

National Institute of Mental Health.Specific phobia.

Meier SM, Deckert J.Genetics of anxiety disorders.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2019 Mar 2;21(3):16. doi: 10.1007/s11920-019-1002-7

University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Specific phobias.

Wardenaar KJ, Lim CCW, Al-Hamzawi AO, et al.The cross-national epidemiology of specific phobia in the World Mental Health Surveys.Psychol Med. 2017;47(10):1744-1760. doi:10.1017/S0033291717000174

University of Pennsylvania. Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.Obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Thng CEW, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Poh BZQ, Lim CG.Recent developments in the intervention of specific phobia among adults: a rapid review.F1000Res. 2020;9:F1000 Faculty Rev-195. doi:10.12688/f1000research.20082.1

Eaton WW, Bienvenu OJ, Miloyan B.Specific phobias.Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(8):678-686. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30169-X

Wechsler TF, Kümpers F, Mühlberger A.Inferiority or even superiority of virtual reality exposure therapy in phobias?-A systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials specifically comparing the efficacy of virtual reality exposure to gold standardin vivoexposure in agoraphobia, specific phobia, and social phobia.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1758. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01758

Zaccaro A, Piarulli A, Laurino M, et al.How breath-control can change your life: A systematic review on psycho-physiological correlates of slow breathing.Front Hum Neurosci. 2018;12:353. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00353

Davidson P, Pace-Schott E.The role of sleep in fear learning and memory.Curr Opin Psychol. 2020;34:32-36. doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.08.016

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