Big TW // bugs & checking this seriously set me off years ago and I don’t want to start an obsession for anyone else on here about this so be warned . . . . I have this SEVERE PHOBIA of bed bugs. 5 years ago I learned about them after seeing bad hotel reviews, and it turned into this severe obsession. I never had them before but (TW!!) I have learned everything there is to know about them and how easily it is to get them / how hard it is to find them and how they are the hardest to get rid of. This beyond terrifies me. 5 years ago I would be up all night for about two months with the lights on compulsively checking my bed seams, and my arms / legs If I ever got an itch, u would only sleep once the sun came up at around 5am and I would need to play a certain type of sleep music so I wouldn’t “hear them” (as if that was possible ?) It took me so long to get past the obsessing, now it’s just a background phobia that only heightens when I go to travel, etc. Fast forward to now. I’m Home and I just found five small bug bites in a perfect LINE on my inner thigh. I haven’t worn shorts outside of the house for a week or more but I do wear shorts only to bed. I know beg bugs are the only known bug that bites in a line!!!!!!!!! I am FREAKING OUT. I don’t know how I’m supposed to sleep tonight. I fear I’m going to fall back into the whole sleep-with-the-light-on until 4 am and keep checking and lately I’ve had enough insomnia as it is, I don’t want to make that worse. I took a melatonin which I hope helps but I normally have pure-o, so I don’t really know what’s helpful to do with this situation. I already checked my bed and couch just to see if there were signs because this is a very unusual bite pattern and I already know it’s the only outcome there is on google?. But other than the bites, there were no other signs thus far. I always have other bumps on my legs from ingrown hairs but these five bites in a line are DEFF bites. I keep thinking maybe the other ones I just brushed off bc I thought they were just itchy from not shaving bc I have sensitive skin. I asked for reassurance already and took a lot of pictures of it and researched images and facts again. Nothing i didn’t already know. I know that it’s time to stop the compulsions with asking and researching. I already checked two places but I didn’t check “fully” or other places I should check but I’m tired and I’m trying to stop myself here from OVER doing the checking. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to sleep without constantly thinking about them now. Any distraction methods or tips?

Estrid

Date posted: 5y

Oh...I'm sorry, this must be so hard to you? I also have a fear of these bugs. But! Maybe this is the time to just let go and see what happens! Surrender to the situation and say "I give up", maybe it s true, maybe not, time will tell. When we give up, the tension inside slowly diminish. The compulsions around this "what if" are more destructive than to just leave it there, and you know that. Do you have any relative you can talk to?

ARTnotOCD

Date posted: 5y

I had a night like this just recently. I commonly get “spider” bites where they either bite in a row or make a design. (All sorts of bugs bite in little patterns, and I’ve had plenty of bites through my clothes, so it still could have happened to you outside.). I already have my mattress and box spring encased to help with allergies, so that and no carpet or rug lowers the chance of bed bugs. And yet, even though I’ve gotten bites like those here and there since I was a child without ever having bed bugs (and in the winter when it can’t be mosquitoes), I still had so much trouble sleeping that night when I decided to “just make sure” on Google. ??‍♀️ Thanks, OCD. For tonight, maybe try a movie or some music that comforts you. Also, the podcast, Sleep with Me, is really helpful to fall asleep, or in the least, be distracted while you listen to a silly little story told in a very sleepy voice. Peaceful, itch-free wishes your way. ?

Ocd_istheworst

Date posted: 4y

Hi guys so sorry for the for the delay I just wanted to say thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me about this. It really helped. The obsession passed fairly quickly for me thank god. Guided meditations help me so much with falling asleep!!

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