Obsessed about getting a terrible illness

SweetiePie · Post by **SweetiePie** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:37 am

I just need some reassurance and support from those who suffer from similar obsessions. Things that I get obsessed about change all the time. But recently I've been plagued by fear of catching Tetanus. My last Tetanus shot was in 2001. I am terrified any time I cut myself by accident and etc. This time I poked my finger with a needle. And I am convinced that this is the end of me. Logically I understand that it's probably unlikely that I will get it but I have these strong feelings that what if I am one in a million. These past 2 days are very difficult. Thank you for your support...

BTTRFLY · Post by **BTTRFLY** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:30 am

I completely understand you!!! I have health anxiety, too, and am ALWAYS self diagnosing with the worst diseases you can imagine. You are not alone, and you will not get tetanus, the shot is good for 10 years

Hugs, Tara

Boon · Post by **Boon** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:25 am

Practice telling yourselves that your mind does not have a crystal ball. It can not foretell the future, NOR does it have a medical degree. It knows virtually nothing about the medical field. Use this information to soothe yourself with. Stay off the webdoctor sites and practice your breathwork to keep you present and out of your head.

Scott Demeter · Post by **Scott Demeter** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 9:38 am

SweetiePie--I'm sorry you are suffering so much. I have OCD and run a support group for it. You must understand that OCD is a medical disorder. The dysregulation of serotonin seems to be the problem. SSRIs are a classification of meds that can make all the difference in the world. Believe me, I was tormented by obsessions for over thirty years...and relief came when I was put on the proper drug regimen. SSRIs include: Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, Lexapro, and more. You need not be going through such hell. On the therapy side, obsessions and compulsions are treated with a program called Exposure-Response and Prevention. The client will face their fear, feel the anxiety, and become desensitized. The most successful treatment is medicine and/or ERP. I know Lucinda's course deals with obsessive, scary thoughts. However, when it becomes a full-blown illness like you describe regarding your health, better, more effective treatments are at your disposal. There is an organization called the OCD Foundation I can write to you about; it has a newsletter that comes out fairly regularly. A really great book to read is Edna Foa's STOP OBSESSING! Anyway, I could go on and on about the topic. I know the utter torment you feel. Continue to do Lucinda's course. Perhaps on some level it will work. But know you have other sound possibilities if it doesn't. So get back to me if you want. I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have. I know you want to be reassured, but it must be remembered that OCD sufferers are "reassurance junkies." This is not a judgement; it's understandable under the circumstances. Unfortunately, reassurance alleviates the anxiety for just a few moments...and then the obsession returns in a big way. OCD is an anxiety disorder. So don't give up hope. You are obviously a strong woman to put up with all you do.

Scott

chrissytina · Post by **chrissytina** » Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:27 pm

SweetiePie:
I have the exact same problem. My biggest fear is dieing or getting a serious illness. Everytime something in my body feels different, I think the worst. I have spent hours looking up symptoms and diseases on the internet. I have been to just about every type of Dr. out there. I have myself convinced that I have a rare disease that the Dr.s haven't found yet. I have been trying to think positive and tell myself that I will be ok, but sometimes its hard. I know what you are going through. I have faith that this program will work and I will get my life back. Good luck to you and remember to think positive calming thoughts.

Dhylles · Post by **Dhylles** » Thu Apr 02, 2009 2:58 am

I am going through the same thing for the last four months now thinking that i have aids which i know i don't because i have been tested and it came out negative but it did not give me the peace of mind that i was looking for then came the depression, anxiety and stress all in one. it is like a bad record playing in my head constantly from the time i wake up til the time i go sleep but i have been trying my best to remain positive and doing the program and keeping a journal and just trying to be around positive people. it is not an easy process for me or for anyone else going through i can imagine but we will all get through it with God's love.

Dina · Post by **Dina** » Fri May 22, 2009 4:57 am

Holy Cow!!
I think I have Tetnus too!! I was putting some things together with old wood and got a splinter from the wood. Then my jaw started hurting (I grind) now my neck today. I am totally driving myself crazy!! I unlike you can't remember the last time I had a shot!! I have been crazy this whole week cause of this...I looked it up 287 times on the internet and all I see is death!!It is crazy!!

smilebigashley · Post by **smilebigashley** » Mon May 25, 2009 11:07 pm

This is my biggest OCD problem. Always, CONSTANTLY worrying about getting a disease, and dying a horrible painful death, and going to hell.

Everyday, I worry about touching things. Door knobs, chairs, shopping cart, EVERYTHING, because I might catch that persons aids because i have this tiny scratch on my hand.
Every time I smoke I think I have lung cancer.. I recently had a sharp pain in my chest and thought it had to be a heart attack, and was awake all night almost in tears, too afraid to sleep though dead tired.
Earlier today, my face felt numb and I knew I was going to have a seizure..

I know what you are going through, and I know that it is hard.
But I promise you, you will be okay. You are okay.. You wont get Tetanus.. And I don't have aids..
I am sorry that this is happening to you, because you surely don't deserve it, neither do all of us.

But we will get through it.

Rick44 · Post by **Rick44** » Tue May 26, 2009 2:59 am

I've been in this situation, and am still there, but it's getting easier each day when doing the program. I have the fear of getting a disease or have an undetected one though I have had numerous tests. The positive thing is that there is a way through this situation, and these thoughts and feelings will pass. Knowing this is a great feeling.
Carpe Diem