lostsoul12
01-05-2008, 01:41 AM
I have an EXTREME fear of HIV:confused:
Can someone please help me understand that IT IS NOT passed through casual contact
The other day I ran into someone who told me they worked a few years with HIV patients and I was VERY SCARED to shake that persons hand. I kept thinking because he worked with individuals with HIV that some how casual contact can trigger the HIV to be passed. I did end up shaking his hand but went and washed them after that. I even called CDC and asked them how it is passes (although I have done enough research and know on my own that is only passes theough needles, sexual fluids etc.) however my mind is convinced it is passed in causal contact when it really is not. I dont know what to do. I feel awful and gulity to think this way. I have been going to a therapit and trying the exposure response thing but it is not happening quickly enough can anyone help i feel very angry and hurt inside to feel this way!
can anyone help me with some advice
Can someone please help me understand that IT IS NOT passed through casual contact
The other day I ran into someone who told me they worked a few years with HIV patients and I was VERY SCARED to shake that persons hand. I kept thinking because he worked with individuals with HIV that some how casual contact can trigger the HIV to be passed. I did end up shaking his hand but went and washed them after that. I even called CDC and asked them how it is passes (although I have done enough research and know on my own that is only passes theough needles, sexual fluids etc.) however my mind is convinced it is passed in causal contact when it really is not. I dont know what to do. I feel awful and gulity to think this way. I have been going to a therapit and trying the exposure response thing but it is not happening quickly enough can anyone help i feel very angry and hurt inside to feel this way!
can anyone help me with some advice
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purplegirl1
01-05-2008, 12:29 PM
LostSoul,
I totally understand your obsession. I have had this very bad in the past and do still get this obsession on and off. Exposure Therapy is great (been doing it for about 5 years). I have been there recently, I was in a store and this guy was very shady, dirty, and told me he was a past drug abuser, etc... and just wanted someone to talk to, he shook my hand and I immediatly thought the same, even though I knew the truth. When I got to my car, all I had was Lysol wipes, so I wiped my hands... then I started to think later on (because his thumb nail looked infected) that I got a disease, etc....it just kinda went away on its own but I believe that is from so much therapy and meds that I take (Luvox 150mg).
I have been there when it did not go away for days, weeks, and even 2 HIV tests later still doubted.....I think for me it just got better with therapy...
My therapist says to exaggerate the situation and that does help. For ex. let's say you are obsessing that you have shaken someone's hands and now you have HIV from them... you say, "Oh yeay wow I must have HIV since years ago b.c I shake peoples hands alot, and oh wait, that means everyone must have it b.c people shake hands all the time..."...ya know what I mean ?
I totally understand your obsession. I have had this very bad in the past and do still get this obsession on and off. Exposure Therapy is great (been doing it for about 5 years). I have been there recently, I was in a store and this guy was very shady, dirty, and told me he was a past drug abuser, etc... and just wanted someone to talk to, he shook my hand and I immediatly thought the same, even though I knew the truth. When I got to my car, all I had was Lysol wipes, so I wiped my hands... then I started to think later on (because his thumb nail looked infected) that I got a disease, etc....it just kinda went away on its own but I believe that is from so much therapy and meds that I take (Luvox 150mg).
I have been there when it did not go away for days, weeks, and even 2 HIV tests later still doubted.....I think for me it just got better with therapy...
My therapist says to exaggerate the situation and that does help. For ex. let's say you are obsessing that you have shaken someone's hands and now you have HIV from them... you say, "Oh yeay wow I must have HIV since years ago b.c I shake peoples hands alot, and oh wait, that means everyone must have it b.c people shake hands all the time..."...ya know what I mean ?