@@@HIV ANXIETY@@@

[shsm]

Hi guys,

i am new to medhelp and think its a great,

anyway the reason that i am starting this thread is to discuss hiv related anxiety. i am aware that medhelp has a "anxiety section" but over the last 5 days i have read and re-read many posts from people whom are or have experienced/experiancing hiv anxiety so i thought this would be the best place to put this thread.

There are people whom have had High risk acts and are very concerned, which is understandable giving the circumstances. but what about those of us that over react?
without boring any of you with "my story" all i need to say is that i made a mistake, doctors and clinics have said "dont worry" what happened was either "low" or "no" risk etc  but my anxiety continues. Obviously i am fully aware that doctors, clinices, medical proffesionals and even many long term members of this forum know alot more about hiv transmission than i do and even though i see similar risks to myslef posted on this forum over and over with the same responses from either yourselves and dosctors (low or no risk) the anxiety continues and fluxuates.

many would say and have said that if your worried and dont find comfort in re-assurance from medical professionals then maybe counseling/cognative therapy etc should be considered. and i totally agree.

if someone is worried about low risk activity it can be a very disabling time and the risk DOES seem very real. i am there right now but deep down, in my heart i know im over reacting. hiv anxiety  could be manifested from another underlying problem for example, hypochondria, phobias, emotional trauma which should obviously be adressed by a medical professional or it can be due to more simple things like guilt, cultural or religious beliefs. There is also ALOT of mis-leading information on the internet, you could easily find all sorts of "hiv symptoms" through a few clicks on google.

i guess the point of this thread is to share your experiances of hiv anxiety if you like... you dont have to share your experiences either if you dont want to

did/do you have any specific coping methods you found helpful? did/do you try thinking diffrently? or did you even just "snap out of it one day"

did/do you notice yourself spending less time with friends or family? did you find hiv tests conclusive and forget about it?

[Teak]

You did not have a risk and we don't deal with anxiety issues. This forum deals with people that have had a risk.

[shsm]

Continued...

also for people whom have been told by doctors they should have cause for concern, it would be great if we could suggest methods to help people through their window peroiod and help each other.

i just thought it may be useful for anyone whom is feeling anxious at the moment to share their experiences if they feel they would like to.

thanks guys