IT'S LIKE A CONSTANT HUM IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD. EVEN IF I'M NOT THINKING ABOUT IT ACTIVELY, I'M CONSTANTLY RECALCULATING THE DEGREE OF RISK." -LISA, 52
From a young age, we are encouraged to have a healthy fear of germs for both our personal hygiene and our well-being. But for some people, germs can cause severe anxiety that can interfere with daily life. Fear of germs, a.k.a. mysophobia, is a type of obsessive disorder, says Kathryn Smerling, Ph.D., a psychotherapist in New York City. This fear has become much more prevalent recently because of the pandemic.
This story is from the October 2023 edition of Prevention US.
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This story is from the October 2023 edition of Prevention US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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