I have a huge problem. Since my baby was born, two years ago, I developed a fear of germs because I was afraid he'd get sick. My fear grew and grew and it's out of control. I feel like even going to the store and touching a product will give me some fatal disease and that I will pass it on to my baby. I can't go grocery shopping, I have to be careful I don't step on anything that looks disgusting when I get out of my house, I can't shake hands, I can't even take my son to the park. I am living in hell and the wort part is that I am not allowing my son to be a normal child and it's definetely affecting my marriage as well. I fear going to a doctor because I feel embarrased and I don't want to be on meds forever. I know my thought are ridiculous and that I am making myself misearable but I don't know what to do without having everyone look at my like if I am crazy. Can anyone give me helpful advice?
2007-03-02 10:11:08 · 7 answers · asked by Aletse 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
It is good that you care for your family. You really must go see a doctor. He/she will know how to help you. If you won't do it for yourself, think of you family. you said that it was affecting your child and marriage. Embarrasment is natural feeling on something so personal. The doctor might put you on meds, then again, maybe not. you never know until you try. The doc might just put you in therapy. But whatever he/she does, it will be for your own good! the doc will definatly help you! In the meantime, get some clorox disinfectant wipes, wipe off the products before you buy, open the car door with a wipe. The list is endless on the usefullness of disinfacant wipes! ANd I do not think you are crazy. I think that you care for you family, and that is good because it shows that you are very loving, and that will make for being a good mom! Just to comfort you, even though babies can be susceptible to germs, most babies do not get sick very easily (maybe because the have loving, caring mothers like yourself looking out for them ;) good luck!)
PS. No matte WHAT you hear on TV, the possibilities of your baby getting some disease is HIGHLY UNLIKELY!!!'
Much love! <3 (i hope that when i become a mom, i will be as loving as you are!)
2007-03-02 10:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by daughterofgod4evah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cannot believe there is someone else that fears germs as much as I do. I have OCD and am on meds but they do not work for this. I have 2 kids and 1 is in school, I am so afraid of him going there because of germs. It is constantly on my mind and I hate it. Itry to tell myself there is nothing I can do to change the outcome but that does not work either. It has also affected my relationship with husband. I am always telling my kids to was hands. I always ask him if there were any kids out from school and than I worry. That is all I do. We go to the store but always have wipes and hands are washed. I don't like people in my house in case of contamination. Life is miserable right now and I want the worries to go away. I know I was not any help to you but it was nice to tell you are not alone. Good luck. Let me know if you would like email to talk further.
2007-03-02 22:30:36 · answer #2 · answered by Marcie H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well I hate to tell you this but germs are bacteria and the human body could not survive without certain bacteria.
the human body also has its own defence system against unwanted germs.
All I can suggest is to expose your self to these situations that you fear slowly to get over your fear. It may be best if you see a councilor or therapist for support and more advise.
2007-03-02 18:19:56 · answer #3 · answered by The Cactus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
could be OCD, which is mostly genetic so no need to feel embarassed or ashamed about it. Its just a natural instinct that ran wild. I would definitely talk to a Doctor, and get a referral to a Psychiatrist who deals with OCD.
2007-03-02 19:14:50 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
PLEASE DON'T READ ON IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED!
(I DID CENSOR IT THOUGH)
George Carlin confronts this issue very well...
"Where did this sudden fear of germs come from in this country? Have you noticed this? The media constantly running stories about all the latest infections? Salmonella, E-coli, hanta virus, bird flu, and Americans will panic easily so everybody's running around scrubbing this and spraying that and overcooking their food and repeatedly washing their hands, trying to avoid all contact with germs. It's ridiculous and it goes to ridiculous lengths. In prisons, before they give you lethal injection, they swab your arm with ALCOHOL. Wouldn't want some guy to go to hell AND be sick.
Fear of germs, why these f**kin' pu**ies. You can't even get a decent hamburger anymore they cook the s**t out of everything now 'cause everyone's afraid of FOOD POISONING! Hey, wheres you sense of adventure? Take a f**kin' chance will you? Hey you know how many people die of food poisoning in this country? Nine thousand, thats all, its a minor risk. Take a f**kin' chance bunch of g**d**n pu**ies.
Besides, what d'ya think you have an immune system for? It's for killing germs! But it needs practice, it needs germs to practice on. So if you kill all the germs around you, and live a completely sterile life, then when germs do come along, you're not gonna be prepared. And never mind ordinary germs, what are you gonna do when some super virus comes along that turns your vital organs into liquid s**t?! I'll tell you what your gonna do ... you're gonna get sick. You're gonna die and your gonna deserve it because you're f**king weak and you got a f**kin' weak immune system!
Let me tell you a true story about immunization ok. When I was a little boy in New York city in the nineteen-forties, we swam in the Hudson river. And it was filled with raw sewage! OK? We swam in raw sewage, you know, to cool off. And at that time the big fear was polio. Thousands of kids died from polio every year. But you know something? In my neighborhood no one ever got polio. No one! EVER! You know why? Cause WE SWAM IN RAW SEWAGE! It strengthened our immune system, the polio never had a prayer. We were tempered in raw s**t!
So personally I never take any precautions against germs. I don't shy away from people who sneeze and cough. I don't wipe off the telephone, I don't cover the toilet seat, and if I drop food on the floor I pick it up and eat it!
Even if I'm at side walk cafe!
IN CALCUTTA!
THE POOR SECTION!
ON NEW YEARS MORNING DURING A SOCCER RIOT!
And you know something? In spite of all the so called "risky behavior ".... I never get infections. I don't get em. I don't get colds, I don't get flu, I don't get headaches, I don't get upset stomach, And you know why? Cause I got a good strong immune system! And it gets a lot of practice!
My immune system is equipped with the biological equivalent of fully automatic military assault rifles, with night vision and laser scopes. And we have recently acquired phosphorous grenades, cluster bombs and anti personnel fragmentation mines. So, when my white blood cells are on patrol reconnoitering my blood stream seeking out strangers and other undesirables, and if they see any, ANY, suspicious looking germs of any kind, THEY DON'T. F**K. AROUND. They whip out the weapons, they wax the motherf**ker and deposit the unlucky fellow directly into my colon! Into my colon. There's no nonsense! There's no miranda warning, there's none of that three strikes and your out bulls**t. First defense, BAM! Into the colon you go!"
2007-03-02 18:23:23 · answer #5 · answered by General Zod 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You realize you have the fear-that's the first step. here is a program with a free consultation. Good luck. No you aren't crazy.http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/problem_detail.asp?SDID=2044:1918
2007-03-02 18:17:33 · answer #6 · answered by bomullock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have the same problem i always carry a Purell with me if i don't leave with Purell or if i have no more i freak out. I always refuse to touch people's hands and touch doors knobs.
2007-03-03 09:32:28 · answer #7 · answered by Mark L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋