OCD about poison symptoms

[99isthebest]

Hi Guys,

So I have spent the past night worrying extremely long (to the point of not getting to bed until 3pm) about Fuel inhalation. I was helping a friend fix his car and since we were changing an in tank fuel pump to state the obvious fumes from the fuel could be smelt. To be honest he did most of the work in the car and probably went home and slept like a baby. I on the other hand have been worried to the point of feeling symptoms.

I just wanted to put this up and see who can relate and if you have any tips on how to get through this. I felt faint and like passing out then I also felt sick and drowsy. Surprise surprise all the symptoms that you could get if you inhale to much fuel fumes. But somehow I knew it wasn't because of the fuel it was because of my worrying and yet here i am its the next day and I still feel like I've been poisoned and am sitting here waiting for something to happen. I have a long history of worrying about poison.

I'm sick as well at the moment which doesn't help and am going to see my Dr. I feel almost embarrassed to tell him the story but right now I'm doing the OCD thing and searching for reassurance I just want someone to tell me i'm not poisoned.

Any help or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Mina19]

Hi 99

I wouldn't say you are experiencing Ocd about this issue sounds more like a worry to me. I've helped my brother with his car on many occasions with fuel and stuff and I can assure you that he or I have never been poisoned. I'll admit the fuel smell can give you a bit of a headache but other than that sounds like you are worried and that's ok. Get some fresh air and it'll be ok:) also maybe you could tell your mate next time you help with his car that the smell of fuel gives you a bad headache and you could maybe help with other stuff related to the car. Hope I helped a little to put your mind at ease:)

[geoff]

Hello 99, it's an OCD ritual/habit and yes I've had it over my 58 years of having OCD.

Don't be embarrassed to tell your doctor, I'm sure they have heard so many different stories from people who have an illness.

If you like you can print your comment and then hand it over to them, then you don't have to actually say it if you are embarrassed, but can I assure you, over all this time I've had OCD there are many stories I could tell you.

We have OCD, it's an illness that it is common so I hope I have reassured you.

Geoff.

[fred4761]

Hi 99, I second what Geoff said about printing out my comment and handing it to a doctor or psych. It might seem crazy but it works! Especially if you are feeling embarrassed. The other thing is that while your thoughts and feelings might seem mortifyingly embarassing to you the doctors have all heard things like this before.

I have experienced OCD and anxiety about many things, the most recent being about getting gastro or food poisoning after I got sick a few years ago. At my worst I was spending so much time worrying and going over and over in my mind about getting sick to the point that I wasn't able to keep up with the housework. I was so paranoid about getting sick, yet my house was becoming dirty and I wasn't washing dishes or wiping down the bench as often as needed - which now I can look back on and laugh about - it doesn't make sense but it was how I genuinely felt at the time. My GP and psych both understood and my psych taught me strategies and techniques for challenging my irrational thoughts such as asking myself:

-What is the worst possible thing that can happen?

-What is the likelihood of this happening?

-What would a friend think if they were in my position?

-Will this matter a year from now? In 5 years from now?

[geoff]

Hi 99, just wondering how you are going?

If you are seeing a psychologist I would be asking them about any 'trigger points' you maybe experiencing which could bring on these thoughts.

Geoff.

[99isthebest]

Hi Geoff thanks so much for the support and others that replied. I am indeed ok, however my ocd about poisons seems to be trickling back every now and then. I have been to the physcologist many times on and off when I was a child. It helped me a lot I guess I’ve sort of forgotten the techniques I used back then to cope. I guess it would be a good idea to go back and seek help.

thanks again to everyone who replied and sorry it took me so long to get back you did put my mind at ease :).

[geoff]

Hello 99isthebest, thanks for getting back to us and maybe it might be a good idea to go back to get help.

Can you ask the counsellor if you can stop these trigger thoughts and I wonder whether they are 'intrusive thoughts' attached to all of this?

Best wishes.

Geoff.