Bacillophobia, also known as Bacteriophobia, Microbiophobia, Germophobia or Mysophobia, is defined as the persistent, abnormal, unwarranted and pathological fear of germs or bacteria (microbes). It is among the most commonly seen types of phobias.
Recognize Bacillophobia
A person who has bacillophobia will go to some length in public and private in order to avoid bacteria or germs, and they typically are obsessed to some degree with cleanliness. This person may maintain a physical distance from others at all times; they might avoid shaking hands or otherwise making contact with other people; they may cover their mouth when speaking.
They may express a deep-seeded fear of intimacy and even a certain degree of agoraphobia, or fear of public places. Bacillophobia may often be expressed as a form of anxiety.
In order to be regarded as a phobia, a person who fears germs, microbes or bacteria must experience this fear to such a degree that it gets in the way of the normal functioning of his or her daily life. Further, this person is entirely aware of the extent of the phobia but is unable to actively do anything about it, and he or she gets no relief from the assurance of others that the fears are exaggerated.
Causes of Bacillophobia
While it is not known precisely what causes bacillophobia, there is some consensus among experts that the phobia has its roots in other mental health disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The fear of germs is also related to OCD Cleaning.
