People who tell you to just wash your hands don't understand what a true OCD germ phobic is dealing with. While this is good advice to most, it doesn't really help a germaphobe. Because of a serious health issue, I am also extremely germ conscious. Make sure and take antibacterial wipes as well as hand sanitizer with at least 72% alcohol. Purell has one in the small bottles with hangers. I mainly use these at Disney. I hang the sanitizer on my lanyard or on a loop on my jeans so it's easy to get to and I won't forget to use it. I wipe my bag/backpack down each night when I get back to the room. I do wash my hands often. I'm sure you already use wipes on the remote in the room and the faucet handles etc. I also bring a small Lysol for the room. They have tiny little cans at Target. I go to much greater extremes, but if you don't have a health issue, you won't need to do those. I have gone to Disney many, many times and only got sick once and that was during the height of flu season. You will be there well before that time. If you and your husband wash your hands often and use the sanitizer, you should do just fine. The only ride I avoid is Mission Space. The enclosure is so small there's really no way to protect yourself. I have a very weak immune system and I've done fine with the above precautions. However, the trick to keeping yourself safe is to make sure your DH also takes precautions.
This is so true! Wonderful post!I had written up a lengthy reply earlier, deleted it and I now I will repost it. Honestly, I see no dichotomy between physical illness and mental illness, but I recognize others have divergent points of view.
I know it's a bit late in the game for you at this point, as you are leaving in less than a month. However, I say this to you as a fellow OCD (hand washing compulsion) to see someone about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It is a very brief course of treatment and it consists of identifying your automatic thoughts/cognitive distortions and providing you with the tools to stop those thoughts.
I am not going to lie, this time of year is a challenge for me. However, what I was able to take away from CBT was the ability to stop those automatic thoughts regarding germs and replace them with rational thoughts. I finally realized getting sick was not a catastrophic event. Honestly, life is 110% better for me now that I am no longer enslaved to intrusive worrisome thoughts about "germs" and the overwhelming compulsion to wash my hands.
I know what you mean and I am glad we are able to support you. I do well with quiet areas to decompress.
), and you may find that the sights and sounds of WDW distract you from thinking about it! (If worse comes to worst, does wearing a surgical facemask help you feel better? That's an option.) Happy Anniversary and have a wonderful trip!
