I have always been one who goes out of my way to see animals, pet them, etc...all of a sudden irrational rabies fear has taken over, and I've almost instantly become opposite. Yesterday i went to a house to ask someone something and there 12 week old puppy came out, sniffing, licking, jumping on my leg, etc, 2 months ago i would of been picking him up and playing with him, but instead i have irrational fears of rabies transmission. Does anyone have any idea why something like this would all of a sudden happen?
Why did this happen?
- Thread starter E.B
- Start date
matisworried
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2019
- Messages
- 1,033
- Reaction score
- 699
i think the short answer is that you haven't taken the proper steps to treat your phobia/fear of rabies. i think, especially in your specific situation, CBT would be very helpful for you.
I think this has always been here from childhood. I remember certain instances. I was terrified of aids throughout the 90s, and it affected relationships. Some of the irrational thoughts as a child i thought would never return, but then return...is there a reason it comes in waves? As a Christian i believe in the spirit world, so i wonder if it is spirit related. Any thoughts as to why these come and go?
I really would like some input with this. I went to my wife's old apt and there is a dog that one of neighbor has who is very nice and greets everyone. I heard him coming and ran and jumped back in my truck. This is the complete 180 opposite of me. I always have gone to dogs. Will I be like this for a while now? I am supposed to go back and help her but fear going back. Ridiculous I know ...
And to make it more strange, i also ever since I remember wonder if something has happened when I know it hasn't. From knowing I haven't taken my med to wondering if I made contact from the above dog when I know I haven't. Is there a way to break this?
And to make it more strange, i also ever since I remember wonder if something has happened when I know it hasn't. From knowing I haven't taken my med to wondering if I made contact from the above dog when I know I haven't. Is there a way to break this?
FlipperK
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2019
- Messages
- 329
- Reaction score
- 184
When I had my rabies fear years ago... I just made the decision to go about my life... if I die of rabies then I die of rabies.
I know thats an extreme, but nothing else was working.
I started to feel better, then after 2 months (past incubation period) I was fine. From that point on, I realized that getting rabies may not be as easy as my brain thought.
I know thats an extreme, but nothing else was working.
I started to feel better, then after 2 months (past incubation period) I was fine. From that point on, I realized that getting rabies may not be as easy as my brain thought.
What i don't understand is how it is such a drastic 180 change of how i was? I was known to go up to ANY dog and play with it. Now this...
Is it something underlying that causes this? It just seems to be getting more and more ridiculous of me coming up with things.
FlipperK
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2019
- Messages
- 329
- Reaction score
- 184
I have a property maintenance business so i have lots of clients, im in houses, etc...so now it's gotten to the point that there is a fear of going into a house with pets with the irrational rabies fear. It's bad when it starts to affect your life like that.
matisworried
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2019
- Messages
- 1,033
- Reaction score
- 699
have you ever looked at just how rare rabies is? this is directly from the CDC website:
"The number of rabies-related human deaths in the United States has also declined, from more than 100 annually in the early 1900’s to just one or two per year. This decline can be attributed to successful pet vaccination programs and availability of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies."
ONE OR TWO DEATHS PER YEAR in a country with a population just under 400 million.
your odds of dying of rabies are 1:400,000,000. according to google, your odds of winning the powerball are 1:292,000,000. that means you seriously have better odds of winning the lottery.
of the estimated 5,000 cases reported in animals annually, only 310-320 cases are reported in cats (250) and dogs (60-70.) there are MILLIONS of cats and dogs in the states. i alone own three dogs. the odds of a pet carrying rabies are astronomically small.
matisworried
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2019
- Messages
- 1,033
- Reaction score
- 699
just try to remind yourself of how incredibly rare rabies is. seriously... 1-2 deaths A YEAR is nothing to worry about. almost 2,400 people die EVERY DAY in car accidents and i bet you have no problem driving.