- Username
- jb2019username
- Date posted
- 5y ago
That’s your OCD talkin’ :) those risks are probably the same as winning the lottery
Health organizations have to cover all the bases to keep their asses covered for liability reasons, and it breeds hypochondriacs and feeds into OCD brain. I don’t know if what I’m about to say is considered reassurance or not, but your OCD is convincing you of unwarranted risks. Even so, however, skip that exposure if it’s too triggering. If there’s one thing my therapist has taught me it’s that it is NOT always worth it to take the leap. Start somewhere easier if that assignment is too challenging. Much love :)
If I followed your reasoning then I should blame my employer for daring to tell me to commute to work since tons of risks are in play when driving a car. --- You are trading one thing for another - the possibility of danger for peace of mind. --- I don't know your stage of recovery so this might trigger you but t let's say that you were the one in a billion that gets herpes through sharing a cup - Well, that's life and you will be able to face it when/if it comes - you are much stronger than you think. I know tons of people who have oral herpes and they are wonderful people and their life is not defined by that.
That may be a good analogy (driving) and hopefully my mind will be able to see things more clearly soon. I am in the beginning stages of therapy. Also, it seems that my thoughts have been more concerned with giving herpes to someone else.
Stdcheck.com States that oral herpes is most commonly passed from kissing or sharing drinks or utensils. I am so confused as to the differing opinions.
Thank you so much for your replies. I am actually in therapy and I am new to this community. Is there a way to interact with users in a chat or message system?
Sharing a plate or a cup is not considered a high risk activity despite the possibilities. ---
Thanks, but even if the risk is small, why do it on purpose and put someone in that situation?
I had the same obsession once - the thing is that I did kiss people with oral herpes and I was 100% sure I got it and was so scared to pass it to people. I got tested many times until the doctor got mad at me (back then I didn't know I had OCD). Reading statistics and articles online just fed my obsession big time. It wasn't until one doctor was completely rude to me, for good, and told me to stop being so paranoid that I gave it a break. I did ERP, started to share towels, kisses, etc. and my condition improved a lot.
I am really glad that I have someone to relate to. Sharing items like towels would be a pretty big trigger for me. Would you be willing to keep in touch?
Sure
Is there a way to message on this app?
Nope :(
I guess maybe we can keep this thread open, it was nice exchanging with you. I will check this tomorrow.
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How is it going today?
I have a fear of herpes its basically either scared of getting it or scared that i maybe already got it from someone so i get scared to even go outside in the sun because im scared to have the virus in me and getting a cold sore from being outside i hate this because this fear came out of nowhere like 4 years ago and since then im scared to share a drink im scare of eating in certain places because of the utensils im scared to go to the dentist
Can anyone help me with contamination? One of my biggest concerns is not only becoming infected with herpes specifically but also that the germs are just hanging around on my mouth/face and can be transmitted even before I am infected if that makes sense. Basically I fear if I come into contact with a contaminated object I fear that the germs can sit around on my mouth/face and infect others if I touch my mouth and then something else. I also feel the need to extensively clean my mouth and often throw away my toothbrush after brushing because I feel whatever germs were on my mouth are now sitting on my toothbrush waiting to reinfect me or others. This is especially difficult when I come in contact with wet or oily things because it seems like they cannot dry or be rinsed off. Any advice or insight is appreciated!!
My OCD fear of herpes constantly makes me think my mouth has touched random left behind drinks from stores, lipstick testers, one time I even thought maybe I kissed a homeless man. It makes it so much harder to fight when I could just clean to alleviate some degree of stress. : ( I don't want to accept the risk when I feel like there's something I could have done to prevent it (clean enough) I don't think I could live with the guilt if I infected others.
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