How can I help a germophobe stop this f••••• up behavior?

[elegatoVI]

I know somebody who is an extreme germophobe. That person goes to counseling for it, as well as for going through grief of losing a family member. It is now officially f•••••• ridiculous. That person takes 35-45 min showers almost every day, brushes teeth at least 5 times a day, and when that person got out of the shower only because I had to yell due to how long it was taking, I found a few minutes later downstairs washing arms in kitchen sink. Washes hands so often and with so much friction that bar soap is being used up too fast and hands are raw and rough. When confronted I am told that I am "being a jerk" and "need to leave alone". It sucks ass, wtf can be done by anybody about this?

[btbc92]

Leave them alone. It's understandable about the germs, yes. But what he/she is doing is extremely unhealthy. You can never fully get rid of germs, ever. Some are healthy, but majority of them aren't. I always ask this question: Many antibacterial soups say they get rid of 99.9% of germs. But what about the other 1%? In the end you can't force that person to do what you want them to do, even if you are trying to help them. The teeth brushing I can understand, because he may have dental problems where he can still have his gums touched by food. As long as he is not vigorously brushing them, it should be fine. I used to take that long in showers. So simple depends on him/her. However this doesn't sound like a germophobe. A germophobic person takes showers more than 3x a day, uses sanitary wipes, alcohol pads, etc even after they washed their hands. A public place I can understand, especially in dirty places. But once again, that person has to be open to want to receive help. Other then that, you can't do anything. But his level of being afraid of germs has a lot to do with the trauma the person has experienced from lost. I know how that feels. I lost two family members recently myself. He/She is just not handling this well. Instead of complaining, try to be more supportive of them. Because you acting that way is going to make it worse.

[elegatoVI]

You know, I hadn't really thought of it like that. Thanks.