Overwhelming fear of stds
Overwhelming fear of stds
I have a horrible, unreasonable fear of Stds. I do not live a risky lifestyle at all (always safe/protected/tested and in a monogamous relationship) yet I have become consumed with this horrible fear that I am going to get one. I imagine these elaborate scenarios where something as simple as sharing a cup or kissing could cause life threatening Stds. This phobia and OCD thinking has affected every area of my life for the last 8 months. It has made dating impossible and no matter how many times I get tested and how long I have NO contact with people I am still waking up at 4am in a total panic. I have even lost friends over this because they cannot stand my compulsive talking about this. I have created symptoms in my head that scare me into thinking I have an Std. Worst of all I finally sought help through therapy and the therapist told me I need to be on medication AND that I am not a candidate for therapy. This really upset me. I was really hoping that by using Lucindas program and the therapy I could beat this without medication. I feel like I am being given no choice but medication and I don't like that. I had anxiety in 2005-6 over driving far distances and I conquered and overcame that fear. I was so proud of myself and was anxiety free for 5 years. I really wish there was some way for me to get over this fear but unlike my former fear this isn't one I can face. I feel like I will end up alone because I cannot really date with all these irrational fears. Whenever it gets to the point where there is anything physical involved I head for the hills. I have great days and I have horrible days just like everyone else. The program has helped a little (I am on Lesson 5) but I feel like I will never get better from this. I am started to feel really frustrated and alone.
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- Posts: 757
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:34 pm
Re: Overwhelming fear of stds
Hi AnxietyMe,
Thank you for your post. Getting over obsessive lies can be very hard but it can be done. Because you know the thought is irrational is a great sign that you will beat this. It is a bad habit. I know for certain that this program is perfect for you. I too was an obsessive thinker stuck in a lie for most of my 20's and have been obsessive free now for 16 years.
The key is seeing it has a bad habit and the thought is a lie. I also recommend exercise, lots of water and practicing the 6 steps in lesson 2. A good multi-vitamin, omegas and your relaxation is a must. You have to let the thought float by and under-react to it. Expect it to be there. Eventually it will begin to fade when you don't give it so much focus. Lessons' 8, 9 and 10 are all about worry and give us tools to get out of it.
I have coached hundreds and hundreds of people who have had great success in exiting their obsessive thoughts. You WILL heal from this. Please PM me and we can have a free coaching call and piece this all together. We are here to help and I KNOW there is peace at the end of this.
Coach Chris StressCenter.com
P.S. I have several posts on obsessive thinking. Search through them they will help
Thank you for your post. Getting over obsessive lies can be very hard but it can be done. Because you know the thought is irrational is a great sign that you will beat this. It is a bad habit. I know for certain that this program is perfect for you. I too was an obsessive thinker stuck in a lie for most of my 20's and have been obsessive free now for 16 years.
The key is seeing it has a bad habit and the thought is a lie. I also recommend exercise, lots of water and practicing the 6 steps in lesson 2. A good multi-vitamin, omegas and your relaxation is a must. You have to let the thought float by and under-react to it. Expect it to be there. Eventually it will begin to fade when you don't give it so much focus. Lessons' 8, 9 and 10 are all about worry and give us tools to get out of it.
I have coached hundreds and hundreds of people who have had great success in exiting their obsessive thoughts. You WILL heal from this. Please PM me and we can have a free coaching call and piece this all together. We are here to help and I KNOW there is peace at the end of this.
Coach Chris StressCenter.com
P.S. I have several posts on obsessive thinking. Search through them they will help
Coach Chris
coachchris@stresscenter.com
coachchris@stresscenter.com
Re: Overwhelming fear of stds
Thank you for responding. I have been working very hard for the last few weeks on attempting to let go of this fixation I have on STD's. I have managed to comfort myself by telling myself that it is IMPOSSIBLE because of the kind of guarded life I lead. I am on Lesson 7 and am looking forward to finding more tips that will help me remain anxiety and ocd free for good. Thank you for your support.
----AnxietyMe-----
----AnxietyMe-----
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- Posts: 757
- Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2012 2:34 pm
Re: Overwhelming fear of stds
Super..keep it up. You are breaking a bad habit and learning a whole new language. This takes time and perseverance and you will do it.
Here to help,
Coach Chris StressCenter.com
Here to help,
Coach Chris StressCenter.com
Coach Chris
coachchris@stresscenter.com
coachchris@stresscenter.com
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:10 pm
Re: Overwhelming fear of stds
Congratulations on getting so far with the program! OCD is a horrible disorder to deal with ( I know first hand) but the fact that you are taking steps to get better makes you stronger than the disorder. You can get better!!