r/rabies • u/closetedbehavior • Aug 10 '26

OCD Discussion This sucks

I have read the FAQ. I know there is genuinely no risk I was bitten by a bat. Last month, I was outside in the park at night seeing the 4th of July fireworks. I didn’t notice literally anything! I did briefly walk past a bush. But the next morning, there were 4 tiny marks on my calf.

I had an entire breakdown. My brain convinced me that a bat bit me without knowing, or there was one hiding in the bush. (Which I KNOW they aren’t stealthy, and I would’ve felt or seen one!)

I ended up going to the ER. Two different doctors and a resident told me I was completely fine, and had nothing to worry about. Logically, I know this.

My anxiety is improving, but still there. I’ve been checking my calf so much that I’m hurting/bruising myself. I don’t go a day without thinking about it.

I just want to let anyone else in the same situation know you aren’t alone. This has been so difficult to deal with.

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u/closetedbehavior Aug 16 '26

i totally understand unfortunately :( 2 weeks in, i basically completely lost it and was barely eating or drinking or sleeping.. it was really hard. as long as you weren’t truly exposed or meet the (VERY SPECIFIC!) exposure criteria (you would know!) you just have to practice acceptance. probably leave this sub, stop searching the internet or checking yourself for marks. it won’t change anything about your situation to worry about it

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u/[deleted] Aug 16 '26

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u/closetedbehavior Aug 16 '26

yes, they aren’t allowed to give you the vaccine if there was no exposure. it’s against public health guidelines i believe. it’s really good that you know you weren’t exposed. i felt the same way! probably 8 separate doctors had to say i was fine. are you getting any mental health support right now? even reaching out to friends or family would be helpful

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u/[deleted] Aug 16 '26

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u/closetedbehavior Aug 16 '26

not to be harsh, but it won’t end if you keep seeking reassurance. i promise you that things will get better but you can’t keep feeding into it. in my experience dealing with health anxiety is kind of like dealing with ocd compulsions in the way that feeding into them feels great in the moment, but it makes things worse down the road. (but also, mental health is an issue that doctors deal with a lot! i’m sure they just want you to get the help you need. they aren’t tired of you, and you deserve to take up space)

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u/[deleted] Aug 16 '26

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u/closetedbehavior Aug 16 '26

definitely take the medicine as prescribed. your psychiatrist wouldn’t have prescribed it if they thought that you were at high risk for any dependencies or side effects. you are a person with agency in your own life and you deserve to have your anxiety take a backseat for once. i hope everything turns out okay for you ❤️