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How to fight off OCD /phobias
Does anyone know of any techniques on how to get over a syringe phobia like I have.I am afraid I stepped on a syringe(iI know you are thinking this is crazy but yea damn OCD)
I know this fear is ocd but I am trying to think of facts to confront this fear with,it worked with fear of HIV and oral sex.
I know this fear is ocd but I am trying to think of facts to confront this fear with,it worked with fear of HIV and oral sex.
Hopefully that book can help then. It describes dysperceptions based on the object being there. I overcome that fear by realising I was obsessing too much about it that my body was actually capable of trying to falsely tell me I experienced some form of sensation that my brain was processing as a needlestick. Takes time and effort mate, don't give up.
Hm interesting I ll look into that,the thing is I never saw a needle,but you know how ocd is
Michael, if you're looking for a book that slightly touches on OCD about HIV, search under Fred Penzel.
I hope I'm not patronising in any way here but I have learnt of a related condition that comes alongside OCD called Dysperception. In this book the author goes on to describe how people will walk near an actual needle and not physically stand on it but feel sensations that they have indeed stepped on it.
As a therapist he describes in a few sections how he has dealt with patients fearful of contracting HIV.
Hopefully my words will help.
I hope I'm not patronising in any way here but I have learnt of a related condition that comes alongside OCD called Dysperception. In this book the author goes on to describe how people will walk near an actual needle and not physically stand on it but feel sensations that they have indeed stepped on it.
As a therapist he describes in a few sections how he has dealt with patients fearful of contracting HIV.
Hopefully my words will help.
Thank you and also I trying to remember that hiv doesnt stay active out in the elements .
What helps me is to know the facts. However, sometimes this is not the best because at times google is the devil.
Exposure is a good way to get over a phobia but I am not sure that exposure to used syringes is the best course of action... no, I know it is not. I think that education, is the best course of action on this.
The percentage of needlestick injuries that result in contracting a disease is 0.03 % meaning that 97.7% do not contract HIV after a needlestick injury with HIV positive blood. So even IF (and we have a big IF here) you did get stuck with a needle it would first have to have HIV positive blood for you to have a 0.03% chance of contracting anything, what the chances are of the syrnge containing HIV positive blood are I cannot say, but I assume it brings your chances even lower than 0.03% and that alone should make you feel a bit better.
Of course I understand ODC. I understand that the slightest most teeny tiny chance is still a risk factor in our minds. However, remember that you did not get stuck by a needle. You are only afraid that you did. Fear is a powerful thing, but it does not need to overcome you. You are bigger than this fear and you know that you did not step on a syringe.
You may always have this phobia, and that is ok. What is not ok is to let it rule your life. You cannot worry needlessly about this. You do not work with syringes and therefore you won't have contact with them very often in your day to day life.Obviously you are not going to expose yourself to syringes or stick your hand in a hazardous waste box. Keep things in perspective and you should be ok.
I have a fear of blood and always have. Even as a child. I get dizzy and throw up at the sight of it. Recently I am terrified of the disease it could carry. I will get over that part of it, but I doubt I will ever be "ok" in the presence of blood. And I am ok with that. I just cannot worry needlessly or obsessivly and make myself crazy over it. And that is what I suggest for you. It's ok to have a phobia. Just not one that will dictate your life.
Exposure is a good way to get over a phobia but I am not sure that exposure to used syringes is the best course of action... no, I know it is not. I think that education, is the best course of action on this.
The percentage of needlestick injuries that result in contracting a disease is 0.03 % meaning that 97.7% do not contract HIV after a needlestick injury with HIV positive blood. So even IF (and we have a big IF here) you did get stuck with a needle it would first have to have HIV positive blood for you to have a 0.03% chance of contracting anything, what the chances are of the syrnge containing HIV positive blood are I cannot say, but I assume it brings your chances even lower than 0.03% and that alone should make you feel a bit better.
Of course I understand ODC. I understand that the slightest most teeny tiny chance is still a risk factor in our minds. However, remember that you did not get stuck by a needle. You are only afraid that you did. Fear is a powerful thing, but it does not need to overcome you. You are bigger than this fear and you know that you did not step on a syringe.
You may always have this phobia, and that is ok. What is not ok is to let it rule your life. You cannot worry needlessly about this. You do not work with syringes and therefore you won't have contact with them very often in your day to day life.Obviously you are not going to expose yourself to syringes or stick your hand in a hazardous waste box. Keep things in perspective and you should be ok.
I have a fear of blood and always have. Even as a child. I get dizzy and throw up at the sight of it. Recently I am terrified of the disease it could carry. I will get over that part of it, but I doubt I will ever be "ok" in the presence of blood. And I am ok with that. I just cannot worry needlessly or obsessivly and make myself crazy over it. And that is what I suggest for you. It's ok to have a phobia. Just not one that will dictate your life.
exposure and prevention response therapy is the best method for any type of phobia.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
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