Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Rabies fear, irrational?

I have severe health ocd. Three weeks ago I was getting a canopy out of a storage bin that was on my deck all winter. It was super dusty. About five mins later my arm was itching and burning. I look and find multiple red dots on my arm. Probably 10-15. Immediately my rabies fear came to mind. I’m afraid there was a bay tangled in the canopy and it but me without knowing. Would a bat bite be felt?  Would it be a small mark or multiple marks like I had?  Can they even climb up smooth surfaces like a plastic bin?  There was no bat poop in the bin or on the canopy. I’m half tempted to lay $1000 for vaccines I probably don’t even need. Please help.
1 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
20620809 tn?1504362969
So, right off the bat, the problem with ocd that involves these types of questions is that the reassurance you seek is the compulsion to your obsession. Our reassuring you, all your research, etc. is going to keep you stuck in the ocd rut. I want you to know that. The only way to recover from ocd is to stop the compulsion. Live with the worry and thought like any other thought you have a million times a day. And THEN there is a chance it gets dismissed. OUR answering it solidifies it in your anxious brain as a realistic thing for you worry about and the thought gets stuck. Do you understand that dynamic? Every tie you try to reassure yourself and receive false reassurance, you are prolonging and worsening your ocd.

Sigh, I hate to even do this and hope you get help with your ocd (try ERP therapy, online or with a therapist). Bats roost in colonies and their droppings accumulate in mass and are not something you wouldn't see. You would notice signs of a bat infestation. And you would notice if anything else happened. This sounds inordinately irrational and part of your ocd. Get some therapy to feel better. OCD is one of the most disturbing in terms of how patients feel anxiety diagnosis but the one that people get the MOST relief when treated. good luck
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I know you are probably right. It’s so hard to shake. I am starting therapy. I’m trying not to budge and pay $1300 to get the vaccine just to ease my mind.  I’m really struggling though. My mind is just telling me there was a bat entangled in the canopy and I missed it.
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Infectious Diseases Community

Top Infectious Diseases Answerers
1415174 tn?1453243103
CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Fearing autism, many parents aren't vaccinating their kids. Can doctors reverse this dangerous trend?
Can HIV be transmitted through this sexual activity? Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia answers this commonly-asked question.
A breakthrough study discovers how to reduce risk of HIV transmission by 95 percent.
Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia provides insight to the most commonly asked question about the transfer of HIV between partners.
Before your drop a dime at the pharmacy, find out if these popular cold and flu home remedies are a wonder or a waste
Fend off colds and the flu with these disease-fighting foods