Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

HIV anxiety drives me crazy

Sorry for starting a new post again (had no reactions on the other one).

10 days ago I had an non risky exposure (at least that's what people tell me). In my mind I slowly starting to go crazy.

I had/have symptoms like burning skin sensation on my arms, a very mild soar throat, sweaty shirt in the morning. As you probably can understand, for me this drives me crazy!

At this moment I have nobody to talk with about this subject and I have to wait at least 4 days before I can go for RNA rapid HIV test (which I have planned already) which gives me an result in 2 hours after taking the test (a negative result will probably release me already al lot of anxiety).

I do have multiple times a day a hard time to stay calm, sometimes I feel I can't handle it but I need to stay calm... It is by far the most difficult time of my life.

I anyone could give me some help on how to deal with this for the next days I would be very very thankful for that!

Thanks all!
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
973741 tn?1342342773
We don't give any type of analysis for HIV here so don't even ask. We do talk about anxiety. Anxiety is a beast. What do you do to treat yours? Obsessive thought can be helped by ERP or exposure therapy. That's where you identify what is an intrusive thought and what a compulsion could be. In your case, I'd say continuing to ask for reassurance that you don't have hiv is your compulsion. What the goal would be is to say 'so what, it's just a thought' and do NOTHING with it. Just get on with your day. Therapy can help.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Thank you specialmom! Your comment is highly appreciated!
Avatar universal
Maybe good to mention that I do try to keep in mind that I had zero risk and that no matter what the symptoms are those do come from e.g. anxiety.
Helpful - 0
8 Comments
hiv science is 40 years old so and its disease transmission was known soon after, so keep that in mind when you feel anxious about a zero risk event. There are maybe 5,000 diseases & conditions that you actually can get with no notice but zero-risk encounters for hiv isn't one of them.
Thank you AnxiousNoMore! I really try to keep that in mind (in fact, keeping that in mind is the only thing that can make me a bit less anxious a few times a day). I think it is the only thing I can do at the moment, bit I'm at Medhelp for almost every hour of the day.

Also had a call with my GP, she also told me I had zero to none risk but will do a test with me to calm me.

I originally had a HIV RNA planned for today but unfortunately I could not go today (that gave extra stress). I rescheduled it for the day after tomorrow, if that result is negative I'm probably a bit more calm...

Anyway, thanks for the help!
Any test is a waste of time. Despite having no medical research background, you only believe in your unscientific gut feelings instead of the existing 40 years of hiv research done by researchers - Consider therapy for this hiv fixation.
I know, I can remind myself sometimes that I had zero risk and this is in my head only. But the symptoms makes me doubt (I know, I should not think that way).

My GP already told me she wants to see me anyway in her office because she felt I I'm suffering from anxiety and they have good coaching for that (apparently that happens quite often).

So to summarize: tomorrow I have my HIV RNA test after 16 days of terrifying thoughts, I do get the results before the end of the day (I'm stressed now, of course). I will drop the result here, just to show to others what anxiety can do to you.

Thanks again AnxiousNoMore, your support is really great and I do appreciate that!!
this isn't for HIV questions--- this forum is for anxiety.  Talk about your anxiety only on this forum. You don't go there to talk about that issue. Ignoring it to gain reassurance again related to the anxiety seems to be the mission here .Sigh. Get some help for your anxiety.
Get some help for your anxiety.
You're wasting your time presently because you have unrealistic assumptions about your abilities to diagnose.
THere is no need to drop the result here since it proves nothing - no one knows if the other person is positive.
Did you ever smoke, or ever drink alcohol ? Any time you do those (including second hand smoke which is inevitable) can give you cancer - sometimes 35 years later. Even 1 drink per day has a risk but you don't go for cancer tests after each drink or test after you walk outdoors when some smoke comes your way. Riding in an automobile carries risks too. There are many other things too, but you're fixated on one that can't do ANYTHING to you.
Understood, sorry for posting the wrong questions here.
This discussion was closed by the MedHelp Community Moderation team. If you have any questions please contact us.

You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community

Top Anxiety Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?