Hi, I am living with four other guys in one apartament.I am a student located in London. We are sharing toilet,bath,kitchen.I've developed some kind of paranoia or OCD, I don't know how to call it.The thing is that I feel very scared of catching HIV during everyday contact, such as using toilet,bath and kitchen. It started when I first came here 6 months ago at a party in the common room where a french guy give me a cup to drink from, it was used before but not full. Only drops of previous drink were left and i've touched my lips with the wine he gave me,not to insult him.Then this continue with fear of using toilet then came more irrational fears. For example today i dropped my soap in the bathroom at the begining of the drain, there were hair from someone else. I washed my hands with the soap and the soap itself before continuing with the bath. But a got paranoid about that. Before that I was walking on the street and felt some tiny drop on my lips, perhaps saliva from someone during his conversation or just water, but I felt same way. I got paranoid and scared. I am trying to control these irrational fears but can u give me some expert advice what to do? Should I go get tested for HIV or not to give up to these fears. (No sexual or syringe contact.) Thank you in advance!! P.S.: I want to appologise for paying only 9$ it is because my card is empty :(
Optional Information: Gender: MaleAge: 23State/Country: United Kingdom Already Tried: Nothing special
HelloCustomer
Welcome to Just Answer.
This is actually not unusual. If you are in a situation you have never been used to before you will be naturally anxious and that anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways.
Firstly let me assure you that you cannot get HIV unless you have sexual contact or if blood or bodily fluid enters a cut or open wound.
However having said that i think it would put your own mind at rest if you had a test to prove to yourself that you are clear. If you don't do this you will worry on forever about it.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can be effective for treating obsessive disorders.
Behavioral therapy focuses on changing specific actions and uses several techniques to decreases or stop unwanted behavior.
For example, one technique trains patients in diaphragmatic breathing, a special breathing exercise involving slow, deep breaths to reduce anxiety. This is necessary because people who are anxious often hyperventilate, taking rapid shallow breaths that can trigger rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, and other symptoms.
Another technique-exposure therapy-gradually exposes patients to what frightens them and helps them cope with their fears.
Behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches you to react differently to the situations and bodily sensations that trigger these fears and other anxiety symptoms.
If you visit your GP he/she can refer you to a therapist. Do not feel embarrassed about discussing this with your GP. This is certainly far from uncommon.
I do hope you manage to get this under control soon. You are certainly capable of it which is obvious from the fact that you actually recognise that your behavior and thought process is different from normal.
With my very best wishes
Mel.
Experience: Qualified in 1977,have extensive coronary care & general experience,plus stress related conditions.