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Rabies fear
Hi Doctor,
I am afraid of going out because of recent rabies news. I am a bold person but now stepping out is a big task for me. When I go out I am keenly watching dogs, cats whether it touched me, it licked me. Also after coming home I was checking my legs whether any bite is there. This is happening to me for the past 3 months. I am suffering a lot. I am not allowing my kids to play outside. I am not leaving them to their grandparents thinking they might not notice of dog lick or scratch. Please help me.
Answers (14)
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I can understand how distressing this has become for you. From what you've described, the fear is no longer just about rabies itself—it appears that the anxiety is causing you to become constantly alert to possible danger. You find yourself repeatedly checking whether animals touched you, looking for bites or scratches, avoiding outdoor activities, and worrying excessively about your children's safety.
While the recent rabies news may have triggered this fear, the level of distress and the impact on your daily life suggest that this may be more related to health anxiety or anxiety-driven checking behaviors than an actual risk of rabies.
A key sign is that despite checking repeatedly, your mind does not feel reassured for long and the worry keeps returning.
Next Steps
Try to recognize the difference between a real exposure and a feared possibility.
Gradually reduce checking behaviors, such as repeatedly examining your legs or seeking reassurance.
Continue normal activities in a balanced way rather than avoiding them completely.
Consider consulting a mental health professional, especially if this fear has been ongoing for three months and is affecting your freedom, sleep, parenting decisions, or peace of mind.
Health Tips
Limit exposure to repeated news, videos, and social media content related to rabies or animal attacks.
When an anxious thought arises, ask yourself: "Do I have evidence of an actual bite or scratch, or am I imagining a possibility?"
Avoid repeated body-checking, as it temporarily reduces anxiety but strengthens the fear cycle over time.
Encourage your children to continue age-appropriate outdoor activities while following normal safety precautions.
Practice grounding techniques when you notice yourself becoming hypervigilant.
Important:
If there has been an actual bite, scratch, or exposure to saliva on broken skin, seek medical advice promptly. However, repeatedly worrying about exposures that have not occurred can keep anxiety active and worsen distress.
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Hi,
Thank you for sharing your concern so honestly. From your description, I can see that you are not only dealing with fear of rabies but also carrying a significant emotional burden every day.
For the last three months, your mind has been constantly occupied with thoughts such as “What if a dog touched me? “What if I missed a bite mark? “What if something happens to my children?” Because of these thoughts, you are repeatedly monitoring your surroundings, checking your body, avoiding outdoor activities and restricting your children’s normal routines.
What stands out to me is that the fear itself has become more troublesome than the actual risk. When anxiety becomes intense, the brain starts treating even very unlikely possibilities as immediate dangers. As a result, you may find yourself repeatedly seeking certainty, checking for signs and avoiding situations that previously felt safe.
I would like you to ask yourself a gentle question Has rabies harmed my life, or has the fear of rabies harmed my life? Based on what you have written, it appears that the fear is currently taking away your peace of mind, confidence, freedom and enjoyment of family life.
Anxiety often creates a cycle
A frightening thought appears.
Anxiety rises.
You check, avoid or seek reassurance.
Temporary relief occurs.
The fear returns even stronger.
This cycle can continue unless the underlying anxiety is addressed.
The encouraging news is that this condition is highly treatable. A psychologist can help you understand and manage these fears. You may also consider a counselling session with me where we can work together to address these fears and help you regain confidence and peace of mind.
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It seems to be post traumatic psychological changes leading to phobia and health anxiety.
It needs to be treated asap otherwise it may get complicated and can affect your personal and social life.
It can be well treated with counseling sessions and homeopathic medicine effectively and without any side effects.
It needs to be treated in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
You need an expert Psychologist who is a good homeopathic physician.
Next Steps
I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 17 years of experience. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
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Hi,Fear and anxiety can be due to certain OCDs.Consult a psychologist
Next Steps
Consult
Health Tips
If you think because of this you are not able to lead a normal life you should consult a psychiatrist
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Hi,
Your anxiety about rabies is understandable, but it may be anxiety or OCD-related. It's important to consult a mental health professional for proper evaluation and support. If you have concerns about potential bites or scratches, see a healthcare provider for assessment and necessary rabies prevention. Seek immediate help if you experience intense fear, panic attacks, or if your anxiety worsens.
Next Steps
Consult
Health Tips
seek help
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Connect with psychologist
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Hi,
It sounds like these fears have become very overwhelming for you and are affecting not only your daily life but also your children's activities and your peace of mind. While being cautious about health and safety is understandable, constantly checking for signs of exposure, avoiding going outside, and feeling unable to trust others with your children's safety may be keeping the anxiety going rather than reducing it.
Next Steps
It may be helpful to speak with a mental health professional who can help you understand and manage these fears. With the right support, it is possible to reduce the anxiety and gradually regain confidence in everyday activities.
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Hi,
Thank you for sharing your concerns. It sounds like this has been very emotionally challenging for you. Feeling worried after hearing distressing news is understandable. However, when fear continues for a long period and starts affecting daily life, routines, relationships, or your ability to feel comfortable going outside, it can become quite distressing.
From what you have shared, it appears that the fear and constant checking are causing significant stress for you and affecting both your wellbeing and your family's daily activities. It may be helpful to explore these thoughts and fears in greater detail and learn ways to manage the anxiety associated with them.
Please consider seeking professional support so that you can better understand and cope with these difficulties.
Dr Namita Ranjan (PhD)
Counselling Psychologist
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Hi
Aapki takleef sirf rabies ke dar ki nahi lag rahi, balki us dar ke chalte baar-baar checking, overthinking aur avoidance ki bhi lag rahi hai. Jab anxiety badh jati hai, mind har jagah danger dhoondhne lagta hai aur phir temporary relief ke liye checking karwata hai. Isse fear kam nahi hota, balki aur mazboot hota hai.
CBT mein hum fear ko challenge karna aur uncertainty ko tolerate karna seekhte hain. Agar yeh 3 mahino se chal raha hai aur aapki daily life aur bachchon ki activities ko affect kar raha hai, to OCD ya health anxiety ki assessment aur therapy kaafi madad kar sakti hai.
Take therapy. You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five
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Hi there.
The news of Rabies created an alarm system in your mind, as we all know Rabies has no cure. So this fact is running in ur head all the time that
If I go out= a dog or cat will bite me= I will get Rabies.
But this is not true for most people.
The chances of getting a bite from a stray dog are extremely low, even you know that. We all go out for work or other purposes.
Yes, but there is a possibility that it could happen, but again that will not give you Rabies, it has to a rabid Dog to bite you. And even after that, we have vaccines for that, so ,99.999999 percent, you will not get Rabies at all.
So, challenge your irrational belief as it the problem, not the dog.
Your condition falls under OCD( rumination+ hypochondriasis).
The moment you will challenge your own distorted belief, you will be free from this.
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Ms. Poornima Waghmare
Mental Health Counselor
23 yrs exp
Mumbai
Hi.. I can understand your present situation.You are experiencing specific form of rabies-related health anxiety ,often driven by Obsessive Compulsive pattern (OCD).
Next Steps
Psychology me is tarake anxiety pe kam hota hai .
You can check my profile & connect with me on this no 94*20*72*56*09*
Health Tips
Break the safety-seeking loop.
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Mr. Gunjan Maithil
Psychologist
13 yrs exp
Bangalore
Hi...It seems you are suffering from a phobia, health anxiety or ocd. Please consult a Psychologist and seek Counselling. The fear is not rational, as Rabies doesn't happen by touch, scratch, or lick of a healthy dog. Being afraid of street dog is normal, but your concern about getting infected by a touch, scratch, or lick by any dog is irrational. Thinking of not sending your kids to grand parents to save them from getting infected by rabies is a disproportionate response caused by assessing a threat incorrectly. You can consult a Psychiatrist, if you wish to receive a medical diagnosis. But ultimately, the treatment will work by making you aware of the underlying issues that are causing you this phobia, health anxiety, ocd. Once those underlying fears are addressed, these symptoms will wither away.
Next Steps
Consult a Psychologist.
CBT along with Systematic Desensitization will work best.
Health Tips
Mr. Gunjan Maithil
Senior Psychologist
Cell: nine six seven one three zero three one three four
Website: https://gunjanmaithil.wixsite.com/therapy
App: http://wix.to/fechb08?ref=cl
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Ms. Pooja Bhargava
Psychologist
10 yrs exp
Delhi
This sounds less like a rabies risk and more like anxiety that has become overwhelming. The constant monitoring and avoiding normal activities are keeping the fear alive. A psychologist can help with CBT and exposure techniques to help you regain confidence in daily life.
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Mr. Prem Kumar
Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Hyderabad
Hi,
I understand your fear. It helps to take precautions.
But if that fear is affecting your daily routine, please consult specialist to handle your thoughts.
Next Steps
Consult Psychotherapist
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