Germ fears and seeking help (please help so anxious)
Hi everyone,
I hope I'm not wasting your time.
I have a phobia of vomit and as a result a fear of germs or situations I could get sick in. It is winter here and it tends to get worse at this time of year, especially with an increase in gastro-viruses.
My fears cause me a lot of anxiety.
For example I had to clean my toilet and was so anxious after that I had contracted germs even though I wore a face mask.
Another is my friend has gastro and I'm worried about other friends who saw her a few days ago having caught it and still being in the incubation period and so when I see them I might be at risk even though they don't have symptoms.
I don't know if this is normal or not, and I wash my hands so much and get so anxious I think it needs addressing.
I haven't made the courage to make the appointment yet. Is it worth it? I'm so scared because battling this would involve exposure or not using my hand washing safety methods.
These are just two examples, it's so known I gave this fear that people make jokes of it. Completely impacts what I eat and that was something I worked on before (eating chicken, not cutting up my meals a lot or touching to test heat). I did okay at it after a while but it slipped away obviously.
Any encouragement or advise appreciated xo
Last edited by Snow White. : 01-07-2015 at 12:39 PM.
I really relate as I have a phobia of vomit too. I don't think it is normal to go to so much effort to avoid situations where you may get unwell- for example nobody I know wears a face mask to clean their toilet at home. It's natural to wash your hands after cleaning a toilet however.
I encourage you to make the appointment if you're not happy at how your life is right now with the fear and anxiety over this. Yes, getting help may may exposure therapy and challenging those fears, but the aim will be to not have that fear (or so much of it) and the end. And you'll be supported throughout.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
Oh no, it's not your fault. I know these things are not normal, that's why I highlighted them as a way of showing how bad things have got. Then I realised it feels awkward to admit it, but that was not your fault xx:)
Sometimes it just gets worse, like if I hear of a friend being ill everything exacerbates. Still, I'll try and book the appointment to see my psychologist tomorrow.
As this is affecting you and making daily activities hard, then I think you should ask for help. It's clearly distressing you, so why not. You might get some good advice or plan of action.
Do you have a someone you speak to regarding mh?
Thank you Carmen yes that does help a lot. I've only ever been sick with a stomach bug once in my adult life so I try to remember that. I found out there are people genetically immune to norovirus so I thought maybe I had that. (Then I considered getting tested but I don't know if that's effective for just curiosity)
Turns out I do have an appointment with my psychologist mid-July. I may make one sooner.
I went to my friends house (where my sick friend had been last week) and I don't know if I washed my hands when I got home? Actually I also ate on the way home so any germs I ate.
This worry made me feel actually sick cause anxiety upsets my tummy (also the food I ate can do that too) and I rested under a blanket but got too hot.
I'm trying to distract myself with shopping catalogues and colouring but could use some support.
Yes! I have an app that does that! I can list the worries then at 5pm each day it gives me ten minutes to work on practical strategies. I'll put this fear in there, Thanks Carmen.
I don't think germs such as the norovirus can last for very long out in the open on surfaces. Your friend who was ill would have had to leave bodily fluids on things like door handles for you to pick it up, and I would imagine she doesn't make a habit of doing that and would wash her hands after using the toilet. And you'd have had to have used the toilet straight after her and then put your fingers in your mouth.
Norovirus tends to go around schools and families with children, because kids aren't good at hygiene so much, and living in close proximity to a child means there's more opportunity to get those germs.
I think you're pretty safe, it's not likely that you will have got anything. Please try and relax. Will peppermint tea help settle your tummy?
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
