Two years ago, 24-year-old Sophie * went to wash her hands one more time. She also jumped more often in the shower and changed clothes more quickly. It all seemed innocent, but in December last year, Sophie didn’t dare leave her bed. Everything outside of her bed and the shower was unsafe. Her parents and sisters were “dirty”. Sophie had developed a serious fear of blemish.
Written by
People with fear of blemishes do not have an easy time, as the invisible coronavirus roams outside. “It is very difficult,” says Sophie, who comes from the Eindhoven area. “At some point I became afraid of my sister. She works in healthcare. I dared not touch anything she touched. ”
–
One day Sophie’s sister came home with a frightening announcement. “She had taken care of a man who had been there for a week without anyone knowing he had corona. So she had taken care of him unprotected. That was very tough for me. I was really going to shun her. When she came home, I went to another room. ”
–
Sophie’s sister fell ill and then Sophie and Sophie’s father also became ill themselves. “We think this was corona.” But in addition to fear, the corona crisis has also brought a strange kind of relief to Sophie.
–
Actually, people now live the life of someone with fear of blemish, but in a mild form.
“It sounds very strange to say this, because the virus is very serious, but I notice that people are getting more understanding for me,” says Sophie. “People were all weird about what I did, washing hands and all kinds of actions. Now you see everyone doing what you always did. Open the door with the elbow, for example. ”
–
Sophie is now receiving therapy and medicines. “I am already far in my recovery. That went very quickly. Now I am quite proud when I go to the store and people don’t dare to touch those things. I just touch it. When I see people acting so anxious, I think: I’m not that strange yet. ”
–
Sophie also notices her friends. “I am a step further than the rest. Then I propose to go for a walk and then my friends don’t like that. People actually live the life of someone with fear of blemishes, but in a mild form. ”
–
Live in the now and realize that you are not always in danger.
Sophie also sees some people go crazy. “They then carry disinfectants with them. And you see them think: oh, she walked there or touched something. I’m going around it in a bend. ”
–
Maybe then people can learn something from Sophie. “Live in the now and realize that you are not always in danger. Don’t let your thoughts run away with you. And make a plan. For example, when I come home from groceries, I wash my hands once. And leave it at that too. ”
–
* Sophie would like to remain anonymous, which is why we don’t use her real name. Her name is known to the editors.
–
Read all about the corona virus in our live blog and on our special theme page.
–
Twan warns against fear of blemish from all that hand washing
–
Three care homes may soon receive visitors as a trial
–
Gyms are fed up from 1 September: ‘That should be possible much sooner’
–
If a mask in bus and train is mandatory, then preferably a Brabant!
–
Waiting for privacy settings …
— .
