Possible bat scratches/bites? Rabies fears - thoughts?
Posted , 7 users are following.
Oh man. I've spiraled into another sea of anxiety and this time it's hard to get out of. I've stayed up on the computer all night, for probably around four extra hours with no sleep? googling information on rabies. What's funny is I already know that it's pretty rare in the States, but my brain says otherwise. There haven't been any confirmed cases where I live, but there are bats around here, but I've never seen them personally.
For whatever reason, I think I have been bitten by a bat. I have a couple of scratches all over the place, up the arms, on the right leg, especially on the thigh. There are two bruises that you can see here faintly, and my brain says immediately that I was somehow bitten/scratches by a bat of some sort. I'm not sure where that came from, but that's what I think. I've cried a bit too, and it's pretty hard to go through. I'm mentally exhausted with this kind of thing. Been dealing with health anxiety for three, almost four, years now and it's starting to take a toll on me this time. It always does. I'll have a period when I'm fine, but when I start noticing things, it doesn't want to go away. Even when I distract myself, the thoughts always come flying back.
I live with my parents, and there hasn't been any bats to my knowledge(and my father's since he know a lot about that) that have taken residence in my house, and the "rational" side of my is saying that how can these scratches and bruises(those bruises that make me think of fangs, yet I'm pretty sure a bat would cause puncture wounds) be caused by any bat?
Yet again, it all starts with thinking you're a part of the minority that gets the severe disease. This time, though, I'm pretty sure something is either actually wrong or I just scratched myself too hard and it gave me bruises that look like bat marks?? Not sure where the train of thought went, but that's what my head says. As for the marks I was talking about, here they are.
https://i.imgur.com/a6G8aeE.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/1JgVH7R.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1ZCjrNM.jpg
Do you suppose this is from my thought of "bats" or just me scratching in my sleep? I'm not sure, but my brain is all over the place and it's scary. Rabies is one of my worst fears and here I am thinking I have it from all of that.
Thoughts?
0 likes, 6 replies
anthony26995 annalynn345
Posted
Have you thought about seeing a psychiatrist ?
staci88515 annalynn345
Posted
This seems like a much deeper issue than anxiety. Seek assistance and rest assured you do not have rabies.
Neelie44567 annalynn345
Posted
You do NOT have rabies. It sounds like an anxiety disorder, which (unfortunately) I am all too familiar with. One strategy I use is to sing a "happy" song in my head over and over (like the sesame street theme song, Jesus Loves Me, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood, etc.). Neutral songs are best. Also deep breathing exercises found on Youtube. In the meantime, make an appointment with your GP and ask him for a referral to a doctor who specializes in anxiety disorders. Talking with an expert will help you enormously. Distract your mind from these thoughts by keeping busy until you see the doctor. There are many many people who share your disorder. God bless you, and hang in there. Oh, and by-the-way, I am ALWAYS finding marks and scratches on my body. They are just part of life, and no big deal.
caz19600 annalynn345
Posted
Definitely think your thoughts could have manifested to the point you are scratching yourself in your sleep. I get all manner of bruises and scratches that randomly appear, with no memory of how.
You would certainly know if you were bitten or scratched by a bat. They tend not to sneak quietly in the night, bite a person and fly away undetected, despite what television or movies may suggest.
Worry not about rabies, but do consult your dr for anxiety or therapy treatment x
jamie09941 annalynn345
Posted
how are you and the anxiety? they werent bat scratches .. how did you get over that fear? im struggling.
RottingFlowers annalynn345
Posted
I've been dealing with hypochondria caused by rabies for about 6 or more months now, every time i get any sort of injury on my body i freak out and somehow my brain thinks its rabies, even though i barely go outside and theres no signs of bats or anything. its so bad ill start experiencing rabies symptoms that arent there, i had to go to the er 4 times, and it still hasnt stopped. im glad to find someone whos atleast kind of experienced the same thing.