Automysophobia - does taking a shower help?

Automysophobia is the fear of being dirty or being perceived as dirty. Its a psychological condition in which a person is afraid of being dirty or afraid of being perceived as dirty.

How to overcome Automysophobia?

Ya the obvious way is to convince the mind to become calm and realise that its an irrational fear and be done with it. However, fear is fear as it is irrational.

1. So can taking a shower for example, provide any relief? It may in some cases reduce the feeling of being dirty. Please note that if you are scared of the germs that will come with the water, showering may not be a good option. 9 out of 10, taking a shower does really help overcome the fear.
2. Changing into new clothes can be helpful if the clothes have become soiled or if u atleast feel that they are soiled.
3. Brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth can provide a feeling of new found cleanliness
4. Cutting nails, shaving etc can also provide benefits.
5. More important than these steps is to remember that none of these steps are overdone. Taking bath 15 times a day will suerly increase the problem rather than reduce it.

If you still feel dirty, inner cleansing methods that purify and calm the mind can also be tried. These methods could be meditation or even sleep.