Anxiety about diseases

[Jennifer200888]

My anxiety and mind is getting the worse of me so I will just explain my whole story.

I fooled around with a guy back in December. Only fingering was involved but his penis did rub on my butt for a couple seconds. Now, I've always had sensitive skin and vaginal itch even before I was sexually active. I went to the gyno three weeks ago to get my vaginal itch checked out and explained to him what had happened and told me the itching was not from that and that it was a yeast infection, but since I have sensitive skin that the itching will probably still be there just without discharge. He tested me for any STD's too just in case.That put my mind at ease for maybe a couple hours until I started freaking out again thinking I had something again. What if I had herpes and I just didn't know it? What if I already passed it to my partner that i'm with now? Guilt and anxiety have overcame my mind. A week later I went back to the gyno because of my itching and the doctor checked me over and gave me steroid cream and the nurse told me NOT TO WORRY. I don't have and chances are that if I did have I would know because of my sensitive skin. I've been doing alright for a while but I still can't get this thought out of my head. What if I have something? It's ruining my relationship I have with my wonderful boyfriend now and I can't stop obsessing over it. I don't want to get my blood tested because chances are that I don't have it right? I even asked the guy I fooled around with in December if he had anything and said no.

I don't know what to do anymore. I want my life back and I can't stop thinking I have something. Help?

[omhome]

jennifer-----in one of my posts i discussed a trick you can try. You put positive thoughts in-----on purpose. Watch funny movies (yes even while the thought is running in your head)or listen to comics on you tube---listen to pos music----self-generate positive thoughts---repeat like a mantra yes yes yes yes yes over and over even out loud---and importantly--laugh on purpose with no reason at all;--just start fake-laughing and it will become real---do it with a friend.....why not---looks silly? so what!  silly is not anxiety!!!  I know it is hard when it is happening but you can--you can---do iot. And you will once you see the magic of it. And no it does not work all the time---what does?. But it will work a lot of the time. So "just do it'. OK?

om

[nursegirl6572]

Hello and welcome!

This is a very common form of anxiety, and it's usually triggered by feelings of guilt and regret, even shame in some cases.  You have to keep one thing in mind...fear is not fact.  Focus on the FACTS, not the FEAR.  

The FACT is, you did the right thing by consulting with your doctor and being tested for STDs.  You can be reassured that you did not get any STDs...the tests are more than reliable...not to mention, you had a pretty low risk to begin with for most STDs (zero for HIV).

The best thing you can do is not feed these thoughts.  Keep yourself busy..distraction is anxiety's enemy.  When you find yourself ruminating about this, or worrying about it...get engaged in something else.  Tell yourself, out loud if you have to that you have nothing to worry about.  Definitely do NOT search the internet about STDs..that will only fuel the anxiety like mad.  You have scientific PROOF that indeed you have nothing to worry about.

If the anxiety persists after you make a concerted effort to put this out of your mind, then I would advise seeking professional help in the form of therapy, to help you work through this.

Good luck!

[Jennifer200888]

We were in an open relationship when we fooled around. No oral sex. Just fingering and his penis rubbed against my butt. I can't get this awful thought out of my head.

[omhome]

You might get some help with a little more info. Were you with your boyfriend when you fooled around? Oral sex involved? Are you upset because you didn't use protection?  What is the source of your guilt is what i am wondering?
omhome