Another newcomer
Question:
I’ve been lurking on this Newsgroup for quite some time and finally decided to post. I am 32 years old and have been living with OCD for the last 12 – 14 years, although only recently began treatment with Zoloft and have postponed CBT until the meds take effect. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my OCD was quite manageable up until this last year, at which time I told my spouse. It has really gotten out of control since then, and the most significant issue by far is my fear of AIDS. I have seen discussions on this NG about the lifespan of the virus outside the body, and the responses have varied widely (seconds to days). I plan to look for web sites (CDC, etc.) in order to do some research, but I would appreciate any information, suggestions, or references (books, etc) that anyone might have. Lately, dealing with people with bandages or bandaids on their hands has been very difficult, as has seeing bandaids on the ground. Basically, blood or any suspicion of blood is a major problem. Following along with this NG over the past several weeks has provided me with both good information and some relief (in not feeling so alone). I hope I can contribute the same in the future. Thanks.
Response:
I worked in a hospital for a summer in 85 and was around a lot of blood. I worked in the area were they treated the AIDS patients one night. I knew a person who died of AIDS at work in 88. I ate with him and went to a party his live in girlfriend had at his place (U are worried about it? Imagine what she thought when the diagnose came in). Im fine and this happoned ten yrs ago. The bottom line is that I was around a lof of people with AIDS/HIV and im fine and this was over ten yrs ago. It is very hard to get. I would take a job were I worked around these people and would not worry about getting it from them. I would go to a friends house who had it. Now if U tell me someone has the Flu I would stay clear and worry about getting something. People have lost sight of the reason no one will believe U if U say U got a STD or pregant from the toilet seat. Remember Im fine and I worked around this stuff.
Response:
>lifespan of the virus outside the body, and the responses have >varied widely (seconds to days). I plan to look for web sites (CDC, etc.) in >order to do some research,
You’re on the right track! I also had the fear of Aids. Get as much information as you can – incidences, statistics, treatment, etc. Once you have all the information I think you’ll feel empowered instead of scared. Lisa
Response:
AMDJMD wrote: > I’ve been lurking on this Newsgroup for quite some time and finally decided to > post. I am 32 years old and have been living with OCD for the last 12 – 14 > years,
Hi, Welcome! Glad you delurked! > the most > significant issue by far is my fear of AIDS.
Yup – that is a very common obsession as you’ve probably read. I used to be obsess with AIDS and would ‘what if’ myself into panic. Not fun. I no longer have this fear – whew! > I have seen discussions on this > NG about the lifespan of the virus outside the body, and the responses have > varied widely (seconds to days). I plan to look for web sites (CDC, etc.) in > order to do some research, but I would appreciate any information, suggestions, > or references (books, etc) that anyone might have.
Here’s my personal suggestion: Write down the questions you have about AIDS and visit or call a local AIDS centre if there is one in your town or check some websites get your questions answered then STOP. Even if you find that the virus lives for example, only one second or less outside the body – it will not reassure you about your fear of catching AIDS. You have OCD and it will make you think about the one second and blow it way outta proportion. OCD makes you want to seek out reaasurance that you will be safe and free from danger and also makes you dwell on the tiniest, itty-bittiest chance that you are in danger. You are obsessing about getting AIDS – you are experiencing a symptom of OCD. I know how you feel because I have been through that too. It’s scary but when you go through CBT you will feel a lot of relief. When do you start CBT? Will you post your progress? I think it would be very interesting for others as well as myself to read about how CBT helps you get over the obsession with AIDS since it is such a common obsession. > Following along with this NG over the past several weeks has provided me with > both good information and some relief (in not feeling so alone). I hope I can > contribute the same in the future. Thanks.
I agree – I feel less alone in the world by reading this ng too – it’s nice to know that there are other nutters out there like me! Good luck with the CBT – let us know your progress – it would be interesting and inspiring! — Monkey http://pages.hotbot.com/health/sillychickens/ mon…@gilligansisland.net (to email me axe ‘gilligans’) —
Response:
Thanks, do you have any suggestions/recommendations about where to start? I went to the CDC web site but didn’t have much success finding what I was looking for. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. This has become very disruptive very quickly. References to information would be appreciated, but (if you are willing), I would be very interested to know some of the facts that you found that helped reduce your fear. Thanks again. JD
Response:
I got an email response to this post that I can’t read. I’m told that the email is either "no longer available or does not belong to this account". I suspect that this might have to do with responding via email to a NG post when you aren’t registered for the NG. I’ve done this in the past and never heard back so I think my email responses were unreadable too. I don’t want to include the address of the person that responded, however if you read this please feel free to reply via email (AMD…@aol.com) outside of the NG. Thanks. JD
Response:
Listen up – anyone with OCD looking to ease their fear about aids by getting as much info and becoming "empowered " is probably not, repeat – probably not- gonna get a hell of a lot of relief with this reassurance-not for a long time anyway. This method of OCD "therapy" flies in the face of conventional OCD therapy – namely behavior therapy. I’m sorry- alot of good intentioned people are giving those who demand reassurance in this room the wrong information. OCD is temporarily relieved by reassurance- but it will come back in some form! Get Therapy! LisaRachel wrote in message
<19990315092036.16095.00001…@ng-ch1.aol.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>lifespan of the virus outside the body, and the responses have >>varied widely (seconds to days). I plan to look for web sites (CDC, etc.) in >>order to do some research, >You’re on the right track! I also had the fear of Aids. Get as much >information as you can – incidences, statistics, treatment, etc. Once you have >all the information I think you’ll feel empowered instead of scared. Lisa
Response:
Jay wrote in message <7ckljc$86k…@newssvr04-int.news.prodigy.com>… >Listen up – anyone with OCD looking to ease their fear about aids by getting >as much info and becoming "empowered " is probably not, repeat – probably >not- gonna get a hell of a lot of relief with this reassurance-not for a >long time anyway. This method of OCD "therapy" flies in the face of >conventional OCD therapy – namely behavior therapy. I’m sorry- alot of good >intentioned people are giving those who demand reassurance in this room the >wrong information. OCD is temporarily relieved by reassurance- but it will >come back in some form! Get Therapy!
I disagree. If your belief system is not rooted in reality and reflect your experience, then all the behavior therapy in the world will do little good. Conventional OCD therapy and the theories behind it are changing. At one time there was only psychotherapy, then only behavior therapy and now we have Cognitive Behavior Therapy. CBT is still primal in it’s approach but the addition of cognitive functioning is a step in the right direction. If I believed I could get aids by touching a doorknob, I would not be touching doorknobs. Fortunately I know better (cognitive reinforcement) and do touch doorknobs (behavioral reinforcement) and have not yet gotten aids. — Take care of your "self". whatatrip rbol…@premier1.net
Response:
On 15 Mar 1999 16:15:57 GMT, amd…@aol.com (AMDJMD) wrote: >Thanks, do you have any suggestions/recommendations about where to start? I >went to the CDC web site but didn’t have much success finding what I was >looking for. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated. This has
HIV, is a very very fragile virus. It only becomes AIDS after several years usually. It can’t stand exposure to air for more then a few seconds.
