Clearly not a scientist. I am an individual struggling with contamination fears. I am really trying to reframe my thinking about “germs” but I don’t have a science background. I am hoping the experts can give some insights to help me let go of false narratives and anchor into reality based ones to think about germs (micro-organisms?) in a healthy way since everyone lives normally amongst them yet I am avoiding them and fearing them.

I do not fear illness or sickness although my mind uses these germs as examples to justify this story that germs can be multiplying and living and spreading contamination everywhere. I fear bodily germs from other humans and wonder “who has touched that and what germs are on them now.” My faulty thinking is that they are all bad and that they can “cross-contaminate” on large amounts covering me and my home and belonging etc.…