Germaphobia in Teens (What to Look For)

Most parents would be thrilled to have an adolescent who is committed to keeping themselves and their environment clean. But too much attention to these areas could be a warning sign of germaphobia in teens.

Call Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center today at (800)275-1707 to learn more about teen mental health treatment in California.

What Is Germaphobia?

Germaphobia is an informal term for an excessive and irrational fear of contamination. The clinical name for this phenomenon is mysophobia. 

Due to their severe emotional distress, people who have germaphobia may go to great lengths to avoid coming into contact with a wide range of potential contaminants, including:

• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Dirt
• Bodily fluids

Neither germaphobia nor mysophobia appear in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a “real” concern. The very real fear that teens with germaphobia experience, and the behavioral changes they make as a result of that fear, can be highly disruptive to their lives. 

Also, for many teens, germaphobia may be symptomatic of a mental health condition such as: 

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Specific phobia (which is a type of anxiety disorder)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Illness anxiety disorder (IAD)

Causes

Whether or not a teen’s experience with germaphobia is related to one of the mental illnesses mentioned above, other factors that may have contributed to the problem include:

• Family history of anxiety
• Severe illness or other traumatic experience
• Parental neglect or overprotectiveness
• Certain genetic variations
• Overactive amygdala (the brain region that regulates emotions such as fear and anxiety)

Prevalence 

It is difficult to ascertain exactly how many adolescents and teens have germaphobia.

However, researchers have been able to gather data on the prevalence of some of the mental illnesses that are associated with germophobia:

• About 2.9% of young people have specific phobia. (Source: International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research, December 2014) 
• About 1%-3% of children, adolescents, and teens have early-onset obsessive-compulsive disorder. (Source: Deutsches Arzteblatt International, March 2011)
• About 3%-5% of adolescents will develop generalized anxiety disorder. (Source: BMJ Clinical Evidence, January 2016)

Signs of Germaphobia in Teens

Potential warning signs of germaphobia in teens include:

• Repeatedly expressing concern about getting sick 
• Hesitance or unwillingness to shake hands or give hugs
• Reluctance or refusal to visit loved ones in the hospital
• Not wanting to attend movies, concerts, or sporting events where they would likely be among a crowd of people
• Washing their hands frequently throughout the day to the point that it irritates their skin
• Showering multiple times every day
• Habitually cleaning their room with disinfectants and sanitizers
• Becoming highly distressed when seeing mucus, blood, or other bodily fluids
• Having an intense negative reaction if they get dirt, mud, or other substances on their skin or clothing
• Refusing to touch objects that have fallen on the ground

Some people with germophobia have panic attacks when they believe that they have become contaminated or are in imminent danger of contamination.

Panic attacks involve the sudden onset of especially intense physical and psychological symptoms such as:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Excessive perspiration
• Rapid breathing
• Sense of being choked or smothered
• Racing heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Tingling in hands and feet
• Trembling or shakiness
• Uncontrolled crying
• Sense of being detached from their mind and body
• Fear that they are about to die

Tips for Supporting Your Teen

If your teen has begun to show warning signs of germaphobia, here are a few steps you can take to support them:

• Educate yourself: If you’re reading this article, you’ve already started this step (so, congratulations!). The more you learn about germaphobia in teens, the better prepared you’ll be to offer meaningful guidance to your child.
• Talk to them: Don’t ignore what’s happening, but don’t overreact either. Reassure your teen that you’re on their side and that you want to help. Share the insights you’ve gleaned from your research and work with them to create a plan to address the problem. 
• Listen to them: Your conversation should not be a lecture. It’s important that your teen understands that you’re working with them, not dictating to them. A good way to get this message across is to encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings, and to be sure you’re giving them your full attention when they do.
• Practice self-soothing techniques: Introduce your teen to coping strategies and self-soothing techniques that they can use when they’re feeling particularly overwhelmed. These options won’t resolve the underlying cause of their germaphobia, but they may ease their distress and give them ways to actively manage their more difficult emotions.
• Seek professional help: Options include consulting with their doctor, meeting with a therapist or counselor, enrolling in an outpatient program, or entering a residential program. None of these choices are inherently right or wrong. What’s most important is finding the services that best align with your teen’s unique needs.

Germaphobia Treatment Options

As alluded to at the end of the previous section, treatment options for a teen with germaphobia can vary considerably depending on a range of individual factors. Generally speaking, though, treatment typically involves therapy and/or various types of prescription medication.

Depending on the nature and severity of your teen’s symptoms, the medication component of their care may involve an anti-anxiety medication and/or an antidepressant.

Therapies that can be beneficial for teens with germophobia include: 

• Individual psychotherapy
• Group therapy sessions
• Family therapy, education, and support
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Exposure and response prevention (ERP)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Find Treatment for Teen Germaphobia in Southern California

Hillcrest Adolescent Treatment Center is a trusted source of compassionate care for young people ages 12-17. We serve adolescents and teens who have been struggling a range of mental and behavioral health concerns, including mysophobia, addictions, and suicidal ideation.

Treatment at our residential center in Agora Hills, CA, includes a dynamic array of evidence-based modalities and experiential therapies, as well as personalized academic support. We also work closely with young people and their families to promote healthier communication, address unresolved conflicts, and help them learn how to best support each other moving forward.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.