HIV Paranoia

[Konstant]

How do I get over HIV Paranoia?

Today i went for a run. Everything went will until I stepped in the grass.

I stepped on something that scratched me. It looked like an old pen, but I didn't want to pick it up or anything.

Now I'm sitting here- worried- that since I went out to go for a run today- resulted in something horrible.

can i contract HIV this way? am I being irrational? how can i overcome this?

[Fishmanpa]

"can i contract HIV this way?" No

"am I being irrational?" Totally!!

"how can i overcome this?" Seek help with a mental health professional that can help you cope with irrational thoughts, teach you tools to do so and perhaps prescribe medication to get you through until your capable of doing so yourself.

You've had these irrational thoughts for some time now. For your own sake...please get help.

Positive thoughts

[MyNameIsTerry]

If your anxiety only manifests itself as a HIV infection risk then I suggest you look towards OCD where it is known as a common form.

Websites such as Steve Seay's have some informative articles on.

Overcoming this will mean changing your thinking styles to remove Cognitive Distortions, learning how to confront your thoughts, stopping any compulsion/rituals which may include reassurance (this is seen in some OCD sufferers in the Pure O category) and some level of exposure exercises so you confront this.

Have you tried online CBT? Or spoken to your doctor about referral for it?