Perceived Mold Issues

Self ^ | 08-09-2024 | DennisR

[DennisR]

I believe my wife suffers from a phobia of and an obsession with mold.

[DennisR]

We live in the Seattle area (yeah, I know), and my wife of 21 years believes that we have mold infestations in our house, two of our cars, our crawl space, and our attic. We have had five inspectors - including a mold-sniffing dog - come to our house to find the "mold." The only significant thing they found was some microbial growth on a few sheets of solid wood decking in the attic. To me, it does not look like your typical mold colony - it just looks like the wood is damaged somehow - kind of like it had been left out in the elements for a while. Apparently, this is quite common in the Pacific Northwest and is usually found on the north side of the house. We have done mold tests; infrared tests on the walls to see if there is any problem inside the walls; had 13 small holes drilled in walls to determine if there was any mold within the walls; and run dozens of mold tests. All of this at my wife's behest due to her fear of being sick due to "mold." She has been tested for mycotoxins and is being treated for a higher-than-normal level with some type of antigen. As she reads all of these mold horror stories (most of which are probably true but do not apply to our situation), she has come to the conclusion that mycotoxins are filtering down through light fixtures into the house. So THAT is why she has high levels of mycotoxins in her mind. However, we did an ERMI test of several rooms in the house that showed we do NOT have elevated levels of mycotoxins in the interior air.

This has been going on for the better part of seven months and is driving me crazy. In a nutshell, she is being both illogical and irrational. I could give dozens of examples, but will suffice with two:

1. Because she believes my car - a 2013 Honda CRV - has been contaminated with mold (which it has not), I have to remove my clothes and shower every time I come home after going somewhere in my car. Sometimes I have showered as many as three times a day. 2. We had some cast iron pans that left a ring in one of the drawers in the kitchen. She was sure that was mold (which it most certainly was not), so she removed the drawer and taped plastic over the front of the cabinet so that the perceived mold spores could not escape. This was after she coughed in response to the perceived mold spores.

Anyway, it is excruciatingly difficult to live in the same house with this woman. If she had her way, she would totally reroof the house, including removing and replacing the solid wood decking. I am convinced that at one point she would have had me tear out all of the sheetrock on every wall just to make sure there was no water and/or mold inside the walls. Although it is the last thing I want, I have considered divorce, separation, legal separation, or just having her live in her own place. So just wondering if anyone else has fallen into this type of nightmarish situation and what you did about it. Thanks in advance.

[lefty-lie-spy]

Get her into mushrooms instead.

[kiryandil]

The power of the Gaslight Media at work.

[lefty-lie-spy]

Kidding aside, I see this is a serious issue. She’s got something going on close to a phobia and should see a therapist to talk it out.

[9YearLurker]

Time to move to Phoenix. Whether or not she joins you, you’re set.

[DannyTN]

From ChatGPT...

Woman in Seattle is obsessed with mold and believes it’s everywhere. Professional testing has not found anything. What actions could help placate her and relieve her anxiety about mold?
ChatGPT
Helping someone with a mold obsession and anxiety, especially when professional testing hasn’t found any mold, involves a combination of addressing their concerns and providing reassurance. Here are some steps that could help:

1. Validate Her Concerns
Acknowledge her worries: Let her know that you understand why she might be concerned about mold, as it can be a legitimate health hazard.
Empathize: Show empathy for her feelings, which can help her feel supported.
2. Education and Information
Explain the testing results: Go over the professional testing results in detail, explaining what was done and why it’s thorough.
Provide information on mold: Share credible resources about mold, including its common signs, health effects, and when it becomes a problem.
3. Visible Action Steps
Regular Cleaning: Suggest or help with regular cleaning of areas prone to mold, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Using mold-resistant products can add an extra layer of reassurance.
Use Dehumidifiers: In Seattle’s damp climate, using dehumidifiers can help maintain a dry environment, which is less conducive to mold growth.
Install Mold-Resistant Products: Consider using mold-resistant paint in areas that are prone to moisture, like bathrooms.
4. Environmental Monitoring
Install Humidity Sensors: Installing humidity sensors that alert when levels are high can provide her with real-time data, giving her a sense of control over the environment.
Periodic Professional Inspections: Even if previous tests were clear, scheduling periodic professional inspections might help maintain her peace of mind.
5. Mental Health Support
Encourage therapy: If her concern about mold is causing significant anxiety, she might benefit from talking to a mental health professional, especially someone who specializes in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety disorders.
Mindfulness Techniques: Encourage practices like mindfulness or meditation to help manage anxiety.
6. Limit Exposure to Mold-Related Content
Avoid triggers: Suggest avoiding websites, social media, or other content that might exacerbate her fears about mold.
7. Keep Open Communication
Regular Check-Ins: Stay in touch and check in on how she’s feeling. Reassurance from someone she trusts can go a long way.
These actions, combining practical steps with emotional support, can help alleviate her anxiety and give her a greater sense of control over her environment.

[70times7]

I’m sorry Dennis. It seems that something is going on and it likely has little to do with mold. Just a suggestion, but you may want to look into getting help before it gets worse.

[daniel1212]

Unlike the typical use of the "homophobia slur,: this is indeed an irrational fear:

Mysophobia is the fear of bacteria, mold, germs, and other kinds of contamination. It is a relatively common phobia that impacts people's ability to function in daily life because of the extremity of their fear. - Study.com

Honestly, this sounds distressing, and your care of her is an example of faithfulness to "in sickness and in health." May God bless you. I would if there is a local Pentecostal church of good reputation, of stable caring people, I would suggest to her that she go there and ask for prayer. Yes, there are plenty of phonies and or hype, but then there are honest people of faith and integrity.

Years ago, I was healed of a hernia I had for years (after improperly picking up a log of Hickory wood) after I went forward at a no fanfare invitation to come forward for prayer at a humble Pentecostal church in Fl. Never had an issue since, even bringing up heavy appliances on stairs (w/ one other helper), etc. shoveling heavy snow over my head, thanks and praise be to God.

Having some caring women friends should itself be helpful.

[SMARTY]

Isn’t mold the state flower in Washington state?

[MikeSteelBe]

I took a job in Houston after college (born and raised in NE TX). I felt like I was getting sick every week. After a few doctors, one mentioned the molds there. It was close enough to the coast for molds to grow, but not close enough for the coastal winds to blow them out. I moved back to NE TX and the symptoms stopped.

[vpintheak]

This is mental illness, sadly. She, and you need to get a grip on this ASAP.

[z3n]

First of all, it’s best to know for sure.
If you haven’t had testing already, call an expert in, or at least order some kits.
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-mold-test-kit/

Secondly, if you have it in trapped spaces, there virtually nothing you can do about it unless you have an inspection that finds it (where it is specifically). You will need to button up your premises tightly for moisture (I understand Seattle to be a damp place). Check the roof, waterproof all seams, sills, and valleys.

Third, in terms of your living and breathing space, you can mitigate the levels of airborn mold, fungus and bacteria with UV light systems. There are portable units that can serve individual rooms and full house systems that can be installed in the ductwork of your home’s central furnace/air conditioning system that should drastically reduce the amount of airborn mold.
But you still have to find the source, or prove that there isn’t one.

[Deaf Smith]

Reminds me of people in 2020 and they way they acted.

[Gen.Blather]

You didn’t mention her age, but she may be suffering from some form of dementia. I’ve seen this decent into paranoia several times. It does not get better. It only gets worse and one day you may suddenly realize you have no idea who this woman is. She will have changed so much as to be unrecognizable. She needs some serious evaluation by doctors. Likely, she’ll refuse because it’s your problem and there’s nothing wrong with her. You need to keep alert should she suddenly decide you are the problem, and you have to go.

[Hot Tabasco]

Get her a few cats, they will take her attention off the mold.

[grey_whiskers]

Move to Phoenix AZ.

[Mashood]

One word: Thorazine.

[ConservativeMind]

There is a smell that strongly reminds me of mold or mildew that I notice in some newer hotels. I think it is with the carpet or carpet adhesive being used. It annoys me enough that I’ve said it smells like mold to the staff, yet, I see it’s a new room or carpet in a hallway.

Could it be this?

[stars & stripes forever]

As a person who is allergic to mold, even a small amount of mold in the car (especially the air conditioner) and the basement of the house can trigger reactions.

NOT having “elevated levels” of mycotoxins in the interior air does not mean isn’t there.

(I’m just now reminding my son to turn on the air purifier and empty the dehumidifier, because I smell mold filtering up through the basement of our home.)

[The Duke]

Pick the room she suspects the most and have the drywall and ceiling ripped and out exposed for her inspection. I just went through that process here to ease my own concerns. Compared to the other options you mentioned, it won’t be that costly (unless you actually find mold, which in that case would certainly be $$ well spent).