Fear of accidentally poisoning self

[Sunshine1992]

I seem to have developed new fears. I'm having trouble with constant fears of accidentally poisoning myself. Last week I pulled out broccoli from my garden with my sister, came inside and used a tissue, and then became obsessed with the possibility of Legionnaires disease from possibly getting soil on the tissue and then using it. Today I put cream on a bite on my knee, washed my hands but then later on scratched that same part of my knee. I then went to grab some bread, but became worried that there was cream on my hands so I threw the bread out to avoid possible ingestion. Then later today I touched the syringe which we use to put my dogs medication in her food. A couple of hours later I ate some lollies, and I can't remember if I washed my hands after touching the dogs medication container. Now I'm convinced there was medication on the container, and by not washing my hands I have ingested it. I know logically this is irrational, but these thoughts trigger my physical panic symptoms, and it's hard to calm myself down when I have these thoughts of poisoning in my head. 

[Narniakid]

Hey Sunshine1992! Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing with us.

It sounds to me like you're showing some symptoms of a phobia, which can be defined as a persistent irrational fear of a specific object, activity or situation that results in a desire to avoid it. 

The best option for you would be to see your GP for a professional diagnosis and ask them about exposure therapy, which involves letting you experience the phobia in a controlled environment.

Avoid self-diagnosing or researching on Google as more often than not the search results are far from the reality, and it will only cause you more stress.

Crystal

[PatT]

Hi Sunshine,

I wouldn't be too worried. I'd say your chance of being infected is pretty unlikely and even if you are (once again unlikely), what is the worst that happens? You get sick for a couple of days, in the worst case you end up on antibiotics. You're not going to die - those at greater risk are:

• Those over 50
• Long-term smokers
• People with chronic illness
• People with impaired immune systems

You're just having a transient phobic episode - it will pass. I've found the best thing to do in these situations is to constantly question the rationality of my beliefs. Literally sitting by myself and asking myself questions about the likelihood of it actually happening. Mostly I come to the conclusion that it's probably not going to ever happen. The most reliable answer is always in there somewhere,

all the best.

Pat.