Do germs take up a lot of your thoughts?
Everyone wants to stay well. When worry about germs starts deciding what you touch and where you go, it may be more than care. This free check helps you make sense of it.
Do you wash, clean or check in a set way to feel safe from germs? The contamination OCD check may fit you better.
Does any of this sound like you?
- You avoid door handles, rails or public toilets
- You wash or clean much more than other people do
- You stay away from anyone who might be ill
Fear or phobia?
Everyone is afraid of something. A fear becomes a phobia when it's much bigger than the danger, it doesn't go away, and it starts to shape your life: the plans you make, the places you avoid, the things you miss.
Phobias are also one of the most treatable problems there are. Most people who finish a course of exposure-based therapy recover, working step by step at a pace they agree.
What you'll be asked
What is it about germs that you find hard?
- Getting ill
- Passing illness to others
- Feeling dirty
- Touching shared things
- Being near people who might be ill
- Public places
Which situations do you find hard, and how hard is each one?
- Touching a door handle
- Handling cash
- Using a public toilet
- Holding a rail on public transport
- Sharing food or drink
- Shaking hands
- Someone coughing near me
- Sitting in a GP waiting room
Six quick questions about the last month
- How much does this affect your day-to-day life?
- How much do you avoid places, plans or situations because of it?
- How much does it affect your work, studies or caring for others?
- How much does it affect your social life, relationships or family?
- How much does it stop you doing things you want to do?
- How much distress do you feel when you think about germs or dirt?
What you get at the end
Your result and what it means for everyday life, plus a starting ladder built from your own answers: the steps, easiest first, a therapist would use to help you. It's saved to a free Rephobia account, so you can come back, retake the check and see what changes.
Common questions
- Is this a diagnosis?
- No. It is a free self-check to help you understand how much this affects your life. Only a qualified professional can assess you properly.
- Will I be shown pictures or videos?
- No. The check uses words only.
- Why do you ask for my email?
- Your results are saved to a free account, so you can come back to them, retake the check and see what has changed. You confirm your email with a code, then choose a password.
- Who can see my answers?
- You can. Rephobia keeps them to show you your results. Nothing is shared with a therapist unless you choose to send a request, and nothing is sold or used for advertising.
- How long does it take?
- About three minutes.