Who is panicking over the flu?
yes, every day - 100.0% - 2 votes
no, not at all - 0.0% - 0 votes
eden
New Member
Joined : Feb 2018
Posts : 3
Posted 2/11/2018 8:43 AM (GMT 0)
Seeking support in dealing with the influenza outbreak.
The media reports of otherwise healthy people dying within 36 hours of being diagnosed with the flu has caused me to have severe obsessive compulsive disorder. The last few weeks have been sheer hell for me. I have limited my life in every way possible. I order my groceries on line, refuse to go out to any public event that I absolutely do not have to attend, refuse to kiss my husband, and refuse to go any place other than work. I had $200.00 tickets to the ballet so I had to go to the show or lose all the money I paid for them so we did attend, but I had a HORRIBLE time. I kept my face down the majority of the performance and we left during the curtain call so we did not have to walk out the doors with throngs of people. I have cancelled birthday parties, dinner dates etc. I just refuse to go anywhere unless its mandatory. My office is very small so I can control who comes and goes so I have no sick people around me while at work. I have spent hundreds on herbs, and vitamin and have been supplementing and eating extremely well. I was somewhat managing my anxious symptoms but two nights ago my husband and sister both contracted the flu and since then I have been in sheer panic. I wear a mask and a scarf around my face the entire time I am in my house other than in my bedroom where my husband is no longer permitted due to be contagious. I spray Lysol all day long, wipe door handles, remotes, etc with bleach wipes. I have lost all my appetite and can only force myself now to eat soft foods due to my anxiety. I quarantine myself in my bedroom or my office where I feel somewhat safe. I spend hours upon hours googling flu statistics and who is at risk for dying. I cannot take these stories of seemingly young 35 and 40 year olds dropping dead form sepsis within days of a flu diagnosis. Its killing me mentally. I am so sick with anxiety and OCD that my life is ruined right now. I am a mere shadow of my former self. If anybody has ever watched the TV miniseries The Tudors during the episode where King Henry starts to go mad/insane from his royal court all dropping dead from the Black
Plague, well that is how my current mood is. I feel like King Henry when they show him starting to hallucinate from the agony and the fear of getting the Plague. He is shown looking into a distorted mirror with a fuzzy face and visions of hallucinations from him being locked away for months. That's my mood and has been for days now. My husband getting sick as pushed me over the proverbial edge. I've lost it. I am a prisoner in my own hone, afraid to literally breathe, knowing the air is filled with his contaminated viral droplets. I'm barely functioning. I spend hours disinfecting. Every day the media report zero good news, and more deaths. Pls help me and give me some encouraging words. I truly am losing it and my OCD is in the drivers seat dictating my every thought and action.
cilly
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2014
Posts : 1620
Posted 2/12/2018 12:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Eden,
I can relate to you and fear flu a lot as have my immunity no good.I have been hiding in home for weeks until recently was outdoors with lots of ppl concentrated in a tiny place.
I am no doctor but you need to check into a psychiatric ward for hospitalization.
You are clearly over obsessed with flu,I have severe OCD at times but have no access to hospitals to stay inpatient .
Only you can save your health and nobody else knows how you feel.
I might sound harsh but that's the fact dear,using wipes is not bad .
please call 911 and rest will follow .
let them know how you feel.
Good luck!
Scaredy Cat
Elite Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 28868
Posted 2/12/2018 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Eden and welcome!
I am sorry to hear of the current level of worries you are living with. I know how it is to have fears that become overwhelming...and it's miserable.
Try to avoid watching/listening to the news. They are sensationalizing everything to do with this flu season. Is it slightly worse than previous years...maybe, but what it really comes down to is selling news...and that means hyping and distorting the facts.
Instead, please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material that you can get started on right away...
...and talk further with your doctor about treatment options for your anxiety if you've not done so before...(or if you have, perhaps a consult for an Rx change/increase, or additional therapy needs)
Post with us here as needed as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key.
Scaredy Cat
eden
New Member
Joined : Feb 2018
Posts : 3
Posted 2/12/2018 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Scaredy Cat and thank you for your kind words. Earlier today i talked with my doctor and she said that the media is causing a full blown panic and making everybody think they are on the verge of death. She said that people recover all the time but they don't tell you that in the daily news stories. I will try to heed her calming words and yours as well. It is very challenging for me right now. My husband is starting to feel better, apparently the Tami Flu is working nicely for him. My sister however, had too many negative side effects from it so she stopped taking it. My doctor gave me a prescription for it just in case I get sick as well. You mentioned the resources at the top of the main page forum, but I cannot locate them. Where should I be looking? Thanks so much for your assistance.
Scaredy Cat
Elite Member
Joined : Sep 2006
Posts : 28868
Posted 2/12/2018 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Here you go. Have a look through them. The Therapy Worksheets and Positive Mantras/Affirmations links will be especially helpful to combat the fearful thoughts you are having. There are also links specifically for OCD challenges as well
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206Talk soon,
S.C.