What is microphobia?

Microphobia is an excessive or irrational fear of germs or bacteria. It is also commonly known as germophobia. People who suffer from microphobia have an intense fear of being exposed to germs, bacteria, and all kinds of microbes and viruses. They may display compulsive behaviors like excessive hand-washing, avoiding people who are ill, or cleaning constantly to reduce their risk of getting infected.

Microphobia is a type of anxiety disorder, and it can severely impact a person's quality of life. People with microphobia often find it difficult to form social relationships or maintain them, and their fear can cause them to avoid many activities, public places, or interactions they perceive as "dirty" or "germy".

Managing microphobia typically involves therapy or a combination of therapy and medication. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy, and medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be used to help individuals with microphobia overcome their irrational fear of germs.