HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Hi Doctor, My Name Is Amit And Am Suffering From

default
Posted on Thu, 10 Jan 2019
Question: Hi Doctor,

My name is Amit and am suffering from Hypochondria anxiety disorder. I always think that I am going to die of rabies. I will give a scenario from my life. For instance, if I am walking on the street, even if a stone touches my feet, I turn around and check if it is a dog or a cat or any mammal that can transmit rabies. Now, this has extended to my kids. I am always thinking that I will get my kids bitten by cats or dogs and they will die of rabies.

This thought of guilt and shame has destroyed my life. I am always thinking that I might get my kids who are 3 years and 1 years old rabies. I am not able to think straight and unable to step at night. I think about it during sleeping, eating, etc. My biggest worry is that because of my issue, my children will get rabies. I am afraid to go out of the house with my kids as I think that I might push them towards a dog and they will bite them.

Believe me, I don’t want to do these awful things but my mind is making me crazy. One more example is this: If someone comes to my house, I open the door. And then I think that my daughter, who is in my arms, is kept by me outside the door on the ground and some dog will bite her. I look around the roof my house to check for bats as they, too, can spread rabies.

I request you to help me or else I will go completely mad.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Hi Doctor,

My name is Amit and am suffering from Hypochondria anxiety disorder. I always think that I am going to die of rabies. I will give a scenario from my life. For instance, if I am walking on the street, even if a stone touches my feet, I turn around and check if it is a dog or a cat or any mammal that can transmit rabies. Now, this has extended to my kids. I am always thinking that I will get my kids bitten by cats or dogs and they will die of rabies.

This thought of guilt and shame has destroyed my life. I am always thinking that I might get my kids who are 3 years and 1 years old rabies. I am not able to think straight and unable to step at night. I think about it during sleeping, eating, etc. My biggest worry is that because of my issue, my children will get rabies. I am afraid to go out of the house with my kids as I think that I might push them towards a dog and they will bite them.

Believe me, I don’t want to do these awful things but my mind is making me crazy. One more example is this: If someone comes to my house, I open the door. And then I think that my daughter, who is in my arms, is kept by me outside the door on the ground and some dog will bite her. I look around the roof my house to check for bats as they, too, can spread rabies.

I request you to help me or else I will go completely mad.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You may have OCD

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Please do not worry. Hypochondria is Obsession with the idea of having a serious but undiagnosed medical condition. Hypochondria usually develops during adulthood.
Symptoms include a long-term and intense fear of having a serious condition and worry that minor symptoms indicate something serious. A person may frequently visit or switch doctors.

In your case, your anxiety is not about having a serious undiagnosed medical condition. Your anxiety is about impending diseases, especially rabies. Here you are actually preoccupied by the thoughts of having rabies (I hope you don't have any other fears regarding any other diseases).

You also know you are being irrational. Still you harbor the thoughts. These sort of psychological disorder is not hypochondria, but Obsessive compulsive thought disorder which comes under the broad term Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have intrusive thoughts (or images) that bother them. These can be thoughts about making mistakes, harming someone, contamination, disease, religious preoccupation, fears of impulses or desires, or just about anything that you might consider dangerous, disgusting or dirty.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment may not result in a cure, but it can help bring symptoms under control so that they don't rule your daily life. Some people need treatment for the rest of their lives.

The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medications. Often, treatment is most effective with a combination of these.

I will have evaluate your psychological condition to make sure that you have OCD. Then I would like to provide treatment.

You may also like to consult a psychologist / psychiatrist in person if you feel that your present problem is overwhelming and disturbs you.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You may have OCD

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Please do not worry. Hypochondria is Obsession with the idea of having a serious but undiagnosed medical condition. Hypochondria usually develops during adulthood.
Symptoms include a long-term and intense fear of having a serious condition and worry that minor symptoms indicate something serious. A person may frequently visit or switch doctors.

In your case, your anxiety is not about having a serious undiagnosed medical condition. Your anxiety is about impending diseases, especially rabies. Here you are actually preoccupied by the thoughts of having rabies (I hope you don't have any other fears regarding any other diseases).

You also know you are being irrational. Still you harbor the thoughts. These sort of psychological disorder is not hypochondria, but Obsessive compulsive thought disorder which comes under the broad term Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder have intrusive thoughts (or images) that bother them. These can be thoughts about making mistakes, harming someone, contamination, disease, religious preoccupation, fears of impulses or desires, or just about anything that you might consider dangerous, disgusting or dirty.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment may not result in a cure, but it can help bring symptoms under control so that they don't rule your daily life. Some people need treatment for the rest of their lives.

The two main treatments for OCD are psychotherapy and medications. Often, treatment is most effective with a combination of these.

I will have evaluate your psychological condition to make sure that you have OCD. Then I would like to provide treatment.

You may also like to consult a psychologist / psychiatrist in person if you feel that your present problem is overwhelming and disturbs you.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (39 minutes later)
Thank you for your answer. Yes, I think I know I have OCD. I think I won't be able to live peacefully without consultation. So, will you be taking up my case and help me in trying to live because I am totally devastated with no zeal to live.

In the meantime, should I administer anti-rabies vaccine to my kids? My fear is this: Even though I am sure they haven't been exposed to the rabies virus but what if they are. In that case, they would die. This thought is eating me from inside.

Please suggest.
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Thank you for your answer. Yes, I think I know I have OCD. I think I won't be able to live peacefully without consultation. So, will you be taking up my case and help me in trying to live because I am totally devastated with no zeal to live.

In the meantime, should I administer anti-rabies vaccine to my kids? My fear is this: Even though I am sure they haven't been exposed to the rabies virus but what if they are. In that case, they would die. This thought is eating me from inside.

Please suggest.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I can help you for sure

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Rabies infection do not take place just by touching a dog or another animal. Rabies also do not spread through air.

A deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals and therefore Rabies is usually transmitted through an animal bite.

You just have to see that whether your children have been bitten by any animal. Otherwise there is nothing to worry or there is no need to take rabies injection. You should consult a physician to confirm this fact too for your own satisfaction.

Your OCD, if it is overwhelming, you should consult a psychiatrist in person. Take the prescribed medicine for a few days. Then, naturally, because of the medicine, your present restlessness and anxiety based on the intrusive thoughts. When your intrusive thoughts become less and when you are able to live a normal life (with medicine), then psychotherapy follows so as to provide maintenance of that psychological condition. Psychotherapy also ensure the intrusive thoughts and OCD symptoms do not come back.

If you want my help on this aspect, of course I can provide you. You will have to call me and I will talk to you through phone or through video consultation.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
I can help you for sure

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Rabies infection do not take place just by touching a dog or another animal. Rabies also do not spread through air.

A deadly virus spread to people from the saliva of infected animals and therefore Rabies is usually transmitted through an animal bite.

You just have to see that whether your children have been bitten by any animal. Otherwise there is nothing to worry or there is no need to take rabies injection. You should consult a physician to confirm this fact too for your own satisfaction.

Your OCD, if it is overwhelming, you should consult a psychiatrist in person. Take the prescribed medicine for a few days. Then, naturally, because of the medicine, your present restlessness and anxiety based on the intrusive thoughts. When your intrusive thoughts become less and when you are able to live a normal life (with medicine), then psychotherapy follows so as to provide maintenance of that psychological condition. Psychotherapy also ensure the intrusive thoughts and OCD symptoms do not come back.

If you want my help on this aspect, of course I can provide you. You will have to call me and I will talk to you through phone or through video consultation.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (1 hour later)
Thank you for your advice. Like I mentioned in my first post, I was seeing off my son who was being taken to school by my wife. I was near the door holding my daughter in my arms. There is a stroller for kids outside my door. I visualised standing near the open door that there is a cat sitting on the stroller. Even though there was nothing. My point is this: I thought of putting my daughter on the stroller so that the cat bites her and I administer anti-rabies vaccine on her.

So, along with OCD, I have the compulsion of harming my kids. Is this a part of my problem? Everywhere I see the potential of getting rabies. Especially, to my kids. I love my kids a lot. Why is it that I have the urge of harming my kids? I don't know how this rabies thing came into my head. I have been taking anti rabies vaccine randomly.

Can you tell me what's the next step if I want you to handle my case? Do you have a WhatsApp number?
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Thank you for your advice. Like I mentioned in my first post, I was seeing off my son who was being taken to school by my wife. I was near the door holding my daughter in my arms. There is a stroller for kids outside my door. I visualised standing near the open door that there is a cat sitting on the stroller. Even though there was nothing. My point is this: I thought of putting my daughter on the stroller so that the cat bites her and I administer anti-rabies vaccine on her.

So, along with OCD, I have the compulsion of harming my kids. Is this a part of my problem? Everywhere I see the potential of getting rabies. Especially, to my kids. I love my kids a lot. Why is it that I have the urge of harming my kids? I don't know how this rabies thing came into my head. I have been taking anti rabies vaccine randomly.

Can you tell me what's the next step if I want you to handle my case? Do you have a WhatsApp number?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
you can be cured

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Your behavior is not compulsive. But your thoughts are. Though you think harm may happen to your children. But never behaved so.

That is part of anxiety associated with irrational fear and obsessive thoughts.

Cognitive Behavior therapy focuses on removing irrational fear / beliefs and obsessive thoughts.

Don't worry. You will be cured.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
you can be cured

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Your behavior is not compulsive. But your thoughts are. Though you think harm may happen to your children. But never behaved so.

That is part of anxiety associated with irrational fear and obsessive thoughts.

Cognitive Behavior therapy focuses on removing irrational fear / beliefs and obsessive thoughts.

Don't worry. You will be cured.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (1 hour later)
So, what is the next step for me? What do I do to remove this intrusive and irrational thought? I understand that I will have to cope with it for the rest of my life and am ready for it. So, as I asked you in my last post, will you be my doctor who will help me through this by prescribing medicines and later with Psychotherapy?

Please let me know the road ahead for me.
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
So, what is the next step for me? What do I do to remove this intrusive and irrational thought? I understand that I will have to cope with it for the rest of my life and am ready for it. So, as I asked you in my last post, will you be my doctor who will help me through this by prescribing medicines and later with Psychotherapy?

Please let me know the road ahead for me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I will take up and help you.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX you will never have to live with this. You can be cured with Psychotherapy alone. Medicines are required only if the intrusive thoughts and anxiety is too much and you can't handle it.

In your case I think you are able to manage those. So only CBT required.

I will help you and that is my profession. But I am not a psychiatrist and therefore I cannot prescribe medicines.

Let us see whether you need medicines or not. far that I need to talk to you and requires many information.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
I will take up and help you.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX you will never have to live with this. You can be cured with Psychotherapy alone. Medicines are required only if the intrusive thoughts and anxiety is too much and you can't handle it.

In your case I think you are able to manage those. So only CBT required.

I will help you and that is my profession. But I am not a psychiatrist and therefore I cannot prescribe medicines.

Let us see whether you need medicines or not. far that I need to talk to you and requires many information.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (26 minutes later)
Okay, it sounds good. XXXXXXX how do we begin? You can write the questions that you want to ask on this platform. If it is fine with you, can you give me your WhatsApp number? I will add you so that we can have seamless connectivity.

I am glad to hear that I can be cured as I haven't been at peace with myself since time immemorial. Please respond.
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Okay, it sounds good. XXXXXXX how do we begin? You can write the questions that you want to ask on this platform. If it is fine with you, can you give me your WhatsApp number? I will add you so that we can have seamless connectivity.

I am glad to hear that I can be cured as I haven't been at peace with myself since time immemorial. Please respond.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
HCM will call you

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX I wish to talk to you in person once. can you come to my clinic once? At Palakkad, Kerala? Rest of the procedure can be done through phone / video consultation. But never through chat.

I have asked the HCM customer care to contact you. They will be in touch with you soon.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
HCM will call you

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX I wish to talk to you in person once. can you come to my clinic once? At Palakkad, Kerala? Rest of the procedure can be done through phone / video consultation. But never through chat.

I have asked the HCM customer care to contact you. They will be in touch with you soon.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Skype possible.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Skype etc is possible. Let us decide how to move forward. Please be patient. Let HCM customer care contact you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Skype possible.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX Skype etc is possible. Let us decide how to move forward. Please be patient. Let HCM customer care contact you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Coming to XXXXXXX won't be possible for me as I live in XXXXXXX As I have small children, it won't be possible to spare a day because I need to take care of them. Is it possible to sync-up through Skype? It would be easy and it is as good as being in person.

Please let me know.
default
Follow up: Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand (0 minute later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Coming to XXXXXXX won't be possible for me as I live in XXXXXXX As I have small children, it won't be possible to spare a day because I need to take care of them. Is it possible to sync-up through Skype? It would be easy and it is as good as being in person.

Please let me know.
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand

Psychologist

Practicing since :1993

Answered : 7324 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Hi Doctor, My Name Is Amit And Am Suffering From

Hi Doctor, My name is Amit and am suffering from Hypochondria anxiety disorder. I always think that I am going to die of rabies. I will give a scenario from my life. For instance, if I am walking on the street, even if a stone touches my feet, I turn around and check if it is a dog or a cat or any mammal that can transmit rabies. Now, this has extended to my kids. I am always thinking that I will get my kids bitten by cats or dogs and they will die of rabies. This thought of guilt and shame has destroyed my life. I am always thinking that I might get my kids who are 3 years and 1 years old rabies. I am not able to think straight and unable to step at night. I think about it during sleeping, eating, etc. My biggest worry is that because of my issue, my children will get rabies. I am afraid to go out of the house with my kids as I think that I might push them towards a dog and they will bite them. Believe me, I don’t want to do these awful things but my mind is making me crazy. One more example is this: If someone comes to my house, I open the door. And then I think that my daughter, who is in my arms, is kept by me outside the door on the ground and some dog will bite her. I look around the roof my house to check for bats as they, too, can spread rabies. I request you to help me or else I will go completely mad. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.