Rabies fear: How to deal with it?

[Fishmanpa]

I wish there was something that debunks my fear but I honestly fear this is it :(

Therein lies the real issue. You honestly believe in the impossible.

Positive thoughts

[ServerError]

If the fact you haven't been bitten by a rabid animal doesn't debunk your fear, what will? What can anyone on a forum say?

[NervousSubject]

If the fact you haven't been bitten by a rabid animal doesn't debunk your fear, what will? What can anyone on a forum say?

Because I'm worried about the possibility of a non bite exposure

[ServerError]

You're worried about something that's borderline impossible. It's even less likely than a bite. The question remains - what can we say to help? Rational responses don't work, so what can we do?

[Fishmanpa]

Like I said... you believe in the impossible. History has shown this belief has lead to great discovery and advancement of mankind. Sadly, in this case, it's doing quite the opposite

Good luck and as always...

Positive thoughts

[MyNameIsTerry]

Okay, so last Monday, I had to hold my basement door open for somebody at around dusk/nighttime. It was unusually warm that week, so I actually saw a bat flying around my tree...but that's actually not what worries me this time. I know I did not make contact with the actual bat I saw, but when I was opening the door, I could have sworn I heard some kind of squeaking sound and now I'm terrified of the possibility that the squeaking I heard was a bat that was near my head or whatever and now I'm going to die soon of rabies.

For the past few days, I'd had a sour stomach and I cant help but think that this is how it begins :( I wish there was something that debunks my fear but I honestly fear this is it :(

The CDC website debunks your fear. Medical history debunks your fear. If God* came on here and told you you couldn't get it, it wouldn't stop your fear if the whole whole history can't.

You could have a daily rabies test and still have your fear.

The issue is inside your subconscious.

Think about it. Bats fly around us all the time at night. So, do you stay indoor because of that at night? If you have ever gone outside at night in your lifetime, you have exposed yourself to your fear.

And then you have far more likely fears in your country that could harm you yet do you worry so much about them? You would never leave the house or answer the door if you did.

That all points to irrationality. Getting help to correct this faulty thinking will mean you can live your life without all this.

* or hairy cornflake monsters for the aetheists.

[NervousSubject]

Yes, I know it's winter and it's been super cold and there is no way that any bat or anything flew near me or anything in this weather recently.

But for some reason, I just can't shake this fear that I somehow got exposed months ago and I'm beginning to have have the beginning prodromal symptoms of rabies and I'm gonna die soon. I've been having arm pains for the past few days and for the past two or three days I've been having this kind of burning/scratched sensation on my left bicep...I don't know what to think anymore....It's not even that it's constant...It just randomly happens sometimes....

Ever since this ****ing rabies fear started back in 2014, it's been nothing but years and years of self-gaslighting, constant doubts and worries....I just want to not worry for once....

[Fishmanpa]

I don't know what to tell you here. There's no logical reason to even think about this but I guess that's what anxiety is all about

Perhaps downloading the free CBT resources and working on the modules would be in order.

Positive thoughts

[NervousSubject]

Basically, Sunday evening I developed a sore throat and have been having cold symptoms since then...Of course, when you have a fear of rabies like I do...It can't "just be a seasonal cold". It's the beginning flu like symptoms of rabies and I'm gonna die soon....I'm so sick of this shit.... :(

[Careful1]

I don't have a fear of rabies but I have fears and know exactly how you feel... I too am sick of this crap :(