Fear of germs is ruining my daughters life

Depending on her age, she may be a good candidate for counseling. There are counselors who use behavior modification to help (hopefully) curb the OCD behaviors. Medication may be a help, I will be upfront and say that I take a med designed for OCD behavior, and i Basically, along with therapy does help, if the patient is willing to participate. Therapist would talk with her to look into what is fueling her fears, and use ways to overcome them.
 

I have heard you need to be referred by a MD,so you can be seen sooner.Is this true?
Marie5656 said:
Depending on her age, she may be a good candidate for counseling. There are counselors who use behavior modification to help (hopefully) curb the OCD behaviors. Medication may be a help, I will be upfront and say that I take a med designed for OCD behavior, and i Basically, along with therapy does help, if the patient is willing to participate. Therapist would talk with her to look into what is fueling her fears, and use ways to overcome them.
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I agree with Marie, a therapist is needed to help treat this OCD condition, I'm sorry to hear your daughter is suffering with this. How old is she?

Here's an article with some information, I don't know if a medical doctor would hasten a visit with a therapist, maybe you can speak to a therapist in your area and ask some questions. Be sure to research first, and get one who is reputable.

The article mentions possible anti-depressant drugs to go along with treatment, but I would really try to avoid having her take these meds at all costs. Good luck, it must be very stressful for you and your daughter everyday. https://www.epigee.org/mental_health/mysophobia.html

Here are some therapists in your area, you'll have to find a good one.
https://therapists.psychologytoday....04_29384&city=Olympia&state=WA&spec=3&spec=15

Causes

Mysophobia may develop after an individual experiences a traumatic event that links germs or dirt with a negative emotional response. This event can be a first-hand experience or a second-hand experience; mysophobia can also be triggered by a seemingly benign situation such as a scene from a film or television show. The person contracting this disorder may have a pre-existing tendency to worry, and it is likely that anxiety and depression run in the family.
Symptoms

When exposed to germs or dirt, the individual may experience breathlessness, nausea, heart palpitations, or a fear of loss of control. The individual can also feel ill and start shaking if she fears that she is being contaminated. Mysophobic will tend to avoid situations in which they may be exposed to germs.


Mysophobia results in repeated, unreasonable behavior and actions. These can include:

  • excessive washing, for example, repeated hand washing (an action which paradoxically makes the individual more prone to infection)
  • avoiding activities that are deemed unclean by the individual, such as using public bathrooms
  • declaring the desire not to share any personal items, including utensils and toothbrushes as well as food
  • avoiding social situations which include a close group of people or animals
The fear of contamination can become increasingly restrictive for the individual. She may refuse to shake hands, avoid touching doorknobs directly, or use an excessive amount of soap or hand sanitizer.
Mysophobia can have severe social repercussions. Because the individual is terrified of contamination, she will avoid many social situations for fear of coming into contact with germs or dirt. Also, other individuals may not understand the mysophobe's condition, and think of her as paranoid or hostile, leading to alienation and isolation.
Treatment

There are several treatments available for mysophobes that, if followed actively, can have long-term benefits on the individual's quality of life. The safest and most effective treatments employ the same techniques used for the treatment of OCD and other types of phobias, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). With CBT, the therapist guides sufferer through a series of gradual exposures to feared items and situations. Early sessions of therapy may involve having the individual shake someone's hand without washing it for five minutes. As the person learns to master the fear, the therapist will guide the sufferer through more intense exposures, such as touching garbage or shaking the hands of hospital patients. This type of treatment is extremely effective and, if properly administered, works after just a few months.
Medication is also an effective option, and will often involve the use of SSRI antidepressant drugs, such as Paxil, Prozac, or Zoloft. Medication is a good adjunct to CBT as it may make the therapy easier for the individual. However, medication may have unwanted side effects and is also not a permanent cure.
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Jane said:
I have heard you need to be referred by a MD,so you can be seen sooner.Is this true?
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Yes, many psychiatrists will not accept patients without a doctor referral. But you may be able to self refer to a therapist or social worker. Look for one who deals with talk therapy coupled with behavior modification. Ask first if they accept your insurance. A psychiatrist would be in order if medication is warranted, as a therapist or social worker cannot prescribe meds.
 
Marie5656 said:
Yes, many psychiatrists will not accept patients without a doctor referral. But you may be able to self refer to a therapist or social worker. Look for one who deals with talk therapy coupled with behavior modification. Ask first if they accept your insurance. A psychiatrist would be in order if medication is warranted, as a therapist or social worker cannot prescribe meds.
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In Canada, once a person is diagnosed a reg doctor can prescribe meds, if they are required, without a psychiatrist. Is this not the case in America? It can take anywhere from 30 days to six weeks to get an appt to see a psychiatrist in many areas. That can seem forever to someone in distress. I have sent clients to their GP's with recommendations. As a therapist I can't

prescribe meds, but I can work with the client and the doctor to find the treatment best for the client. It woud be marvelous if meds were never necessary in the treatment of OCD etc---yes there are often side effects, but sometimes the person is in such distress they are unable to function. Some people only require meds on a temporary basis, others need them as an integral

part of their healing journey. A few lucky ones can manage without any drugs at all. Talk therapy and behaviour mod are very effective in dealing with such situations. Most clients go on to live much happier lives.
 
Shalimar said:
In Canada, once a person is diagnosed a reg doctor can prescribe meds, if they are required, without a psychiatrist. Is this not the case in America? It can take anywhere from 30 days to six weeks to get an appt to see a psychiatrist in many areas. That can seem forever to someone in distress. I have sent clients to their GP's with recommendations. As a therapist I can't
.
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Some doctors here will, some will not. I know my own doctor referred me out to a psychiatrist for mine as she felt she was not comfortable prescribing the meds herself.
 
With MSRA and other drug resistant bacteria(and virii) out in the wild, paying attention to good hygiene is a wise choice.

Of course, obsessing about hand-washing to the point of raising anxiety levels and interfering with a functional lifestyle needs to be addressed.

Perhaps a session or 2 with a therapisst will be sufficient...would avoid putting a juvinelle on drugs, if it can be avoided.
 
I know from experience, choose a therapist with experience and success with overcoming OCD.
Go to a real specialist, depending on where you live.
Most psychologists have little knowledge of OCD (if that is the probllem. They are not trained
for that. She may need meds designed forOCD.
I knew a psychiatrist once who knew nothing about OCD. Zero.
Meanwhile try reading a book STOP OBSESSING by Edna Foa.
A few sessions are probably not enough, cognitive behavior therapy may help
 
How do you go about finding one? I've heard your regular doctor has to recommend one? I don't get how to go about this.
Victor said:
I know from experience, choose a therapist with experience and success with overcoming OCD.
Go to a real specialist, depending on where you live.
Most psychologists have little knowledge of OCD (if that is the probllem. They are not trained
for that. She may need meds designed forOCD.
I knew a psychiatrist once who knew nothing about OCD. Zero.
Meanwhile try reading a book STOP OBSESSING by Edna Foa.
A few sessions are probably not enough, cognitive behavior therapy may help
Click to expand...
 
You will need to do the research on internet to start, in or around Washington state,
if that is where you live, Is that far from Seattle? If you have a HMO like I do, then yes, your
doctor will refer you to one anyway, but please tell him or her that you want a specialist, not just
any psychiatrist he knows. If he is flexible, the doc may let you pick one in your network to go to
and get a referral. Maybe a very limited choice. That's how my Blue Cross HMO works. If you feel it is worth it
to you all around, switch to a PPO or a plan that you can pick any psychiatrist you like. It is open enrollment
season this month where I live 2000 miles east from you. After the enrollment time closes, you cannot switch to a
PPO, at least where I live. Honestly I have found that some of the internet info very out of date with doctors and the like.
Seems that they do not always inform insurance companies when they move and retire.
A national OCD network can connect you to specialists, depending on how serious this is. How motivated she is
and how much money you are willing to spend. Talk to the therapist on the phone before making an appointment.
 
Why is it so complicated?Thank you.
Victor said:
You will need to do the research on internet to start, in or around Washington state,
if that is where you live, Is that far from Seattle? If you have a HMO like I do, then yes, your
doctor will refer you to one anyway, but please tell him or her that you want a specialist, not just
any psychiatrist he knows. If he is flexible, the doc may let you pick one in your network to go to
and get a referral. Maybe a very limited choice. That's how my Blue Cross HMO works. If you feel it is worth it
to you all around, switch to a PPO or a plan that you can pick any psychiatrist you like. It is open enrollment
season this month where I live 2000 miles east from you. After the enrollment time closes, you cannot switch to a
PPO, at least where I live. Honestly I have found that some of the internet info very out of date with doctors and the like.
Seems that they do not always inform insurance companies when they move and retire.
A national OCD network can connect you to specialists, depending on how serious this is. How motivated she is
and how much money you are willing to spend. Talk to the therapist on the phone before making an appointment.
Click to expand...
 
It should not be so complicated. The HMO gives the primary doctor too much authority
to choose the specialist. With therapy it is different because you might care about the
gender, age, race, etc. of the specialist. Your daughter should have some choice in this.
I had bad luck with therapists in my area, so no more! I wish the open enrollment season was
much longer to give everyone more time to make changes. If you think you will be using
many specialists and have lasting medical issues next year, change to a PPO.
The medicine alone probably will not cure your daughter but she will cope better and think
more clearly and objectively with it. Anafranil is a very old not expensive medicine.
 
Okay thank you.
Victor said:
It should not be so complicated. The HMO gives the primary doctor too much authority
to choose the specialist. With therapy it is different because you might care about the
gender, age, race, etc. of the specialist. Your daughter should have some choice in this.
I had bad luck with therapists in my area, so no more! I wish the open enrollment season was
much longer to give everyone more time to make changes. If you think you will be using
many specialists and have lasting medical issues next year, change to a PPO.
The medicine alone probably will not cure your daughter but she will cope better and think
more clearly and objectively with it. Anafranil is a very old not expensive medicine.
Click to expand...
 

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