How do I overcome Germaphobia once and for all?

I think you’re on the right track. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I’ve never been a germaphobe and am very cynical of people who are. It doesn’t bother me to get dirty either.

I do, however, observe certain traditions. I keep my dishes clean; dirty dishes are a known cause of dysentery. And I cover my my face when I sneeze or cough so germophobes don’t freak out on me. And I don’t smoke or drink or drug; all that contributes to my physical and mental well-being. I’m very selective over what prescribed medications I consume, even to the point of not even bothering to get the prescriptions filled on some of them, because I just don’t need that garbage in my life. I’m well-aware that most medications will kill you quicker than the ailments they are intended to cure.

I don’t blame you about the cat. I’m not a cat person. I can’t stand the smell of the stinking things; it’s like the smell of cat feces and cat litter are unique to them. I don’t subject myself to their stench by allowing them in my life. So I would stay rid of the cat if I were you. Other than wanting your cat back in your life, you’re doing okay.

Perhaps it would help to think of it this way: All these years you’ve been focused on doing everything you can to avoid germs, you’ve failed every day of that time.

Not because you’re a failure, but because you set yourself an impossible task. It is not possible to completely avoid germs. They even find germs inside those plastics bubbles some severely immune-challenged people have to live in. You just can’t do it.

You’ve been exposed to germs every single day of your life and you still haven’t died.

Oh, and if you have a littler box, you’ve already been exposed to all of the hazards it contains. Remember, if you can smell something, that means the actual molecules have made contact with your olfactory membranes. This happens all the time. It can’t be avoided.

I know phobias are hard. I have one of my own, and no, I haven’t conquered it. I don’t have to face it but VERY rarely, so it never went away like the phobias and fears I had in the past regarding things to which I was forced to have regular exposure and to which I eventually became indifferent.

It can be done. You’ve already made great progress. Just a little further to go. Good luck!

Using the term germs very loosely if you stop and think about it your body is full of germs. You have several types of bacteria in your digestive system that very bluntly without them you cannot live. If you take a swab anywhere on your body and place a swab on a media then incubate there will be a large bunch of goodie mass’s grown on the plate from the germs on your body. Face the fact germs are every where and regardless of what you do you will still have them. Many are a necessary fact of life . So many of the food products use (loose term) germs in order to make them. Bread, wines, cottage cheese, most cheeses, and many others. Germs had rather do what they do best than to mess with you. The bacteria, yeast, fungus, and a few others are necessary to support human life in many ways. Without the bacteria your food would go straight through your body and never be broken down so your body could absorb it. Germs are mostly a good thing and a necessity.

Trivia baby elephants are born without the necessary bacteria in their digestion system and they eat their mamas poop to get the bacteria they need into their system. Ain’t you glad you were not born as a baby elephant?

Gramma phobia yah? Oh germs, you mean hehe!

As for my exposures, I just worry on the cats, when they need attentions and I wash after the litter is scooped.

Why dont you wear cheap leather gloves, plus a HEPA filter mask which blocks the ammonia odors as well as spores and such as may arise? You know actually, the immune system benefits from bacterial exposure. This is how the body in young years is said to recognize and build up for later invasions, in most people. If you have had the vaccinations for all the worst ones, and avoid bad foods and contaminated water or foods you should be okay to go.

Eating fresh should be all that is necessary for maintaining a strong vital I.S. You likely also wash your vegetables if eating raw, and have good fresh air circulation for the animals you are keeping, I should suppose?

I don’t know but i just wanted to give you some encouragement. It sounds like you are doing pretty good and headed on the right track. I don’t blame you for some of the things we have to take care of for our pets. Heck, even the kids. I remember the wife couldn’t change some of the diapers. So you see if mothers have trouble with caring for kids well it is just normal about taking care of other nasty stuff. So go easy on yourself. eventual i am sure you will get there.
Good luck!

I think you are OK with the germs, It is just yucky stuff you can’t stand now.

That is all right. You want to wear gloves to handle that stuff anyway.