I get anxious with the thought that I am infected with rabies. What can I do?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been anxious since I thought I was bitten by a cat last year. I am pretty sure that I am immune to rabies because I was not bitten but the problem is, every time I feel something in my body, I get really anxious because of the thought that the illness was caused by rabies. My mind thinks I am infected but I am really not. Is there something I can do?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You seem to have a phobia about rabies. You could benefit from counselling. If that does not work, then you might need anti-anxiety drugs. Practicing meditation can also take your mind off it. Basically, you need to divert your mind elsewhere. The less you think about it, the less it will bother you. In a few weeks, you will see that the intensity of the phobia has significantly decreased. The key is to ignore these thoughts, however pressing they may seem. I hope this helps. Thank you and take care. Regards.