[Lizzymama]

I have 2 kids and I have gotten really anxious about them getting sick. I'm on high alert when we are out. If someone is sick, we stay away. I avoid family in case they are sick and when a sick person is in my home, I wash the kid's hands and disinfect everything. It feels as though it's getting in the way of life. I made my sister drive an hour to pick up her daughter from my house at midnight because she had a runny nose and a low grade fever. My daughter was hospitalized at 9 months old for rsv which was so scary. I feel like that changed me. My husband is also very conscious of staying away from sick people
So I feel my fears and anxieties are fed a little with that. I don't know where to go with this. I talked to my doc and she wrote ocd in my chart and sent me on my way.

[Skeezyks]

Hello Lizzymama: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... welcome to PsychCentral... from the Skeezyks!

I'm sorry you are struggling with this. The short answer here is... find a therapist who has experience working with people who have OCD-like concerns. Below is a link to a YouTube Video uploaded by California therapist Kati Morton on the topic of OCD. You may find this to be of interest:

Toward the end of her video, Kati recommends CBT therapy as the one therapy proven to be of benefit in the treatment of OCD. I believe she also has an OCD workbook available which may be of benefit.

[*Laurie*]

Hi Lizzymama, I have EXTREME fears of my loved ones (including pets) getting sick. To me, there is normal concern, then there is extreme off-the-hook worry and anxiety that falls into the realm of an anxiety disorder, such as OCD.

You deserve more help than just being blown off by your doctor.

[bmorechick1988]

I totally understand your fears! I am a single mom to a 3-year-old and I worry about literally everything with him. If he says "I'm cold" my mind goes straight to cancer. Just last night he had a nasty cough and I suddenly was afraid that he would stop being able to breathe. I get really worried about flu and hand-foot-mouth and everything else. He had blotchy skin on his legs and I was worried it was some kind of disease. My fears are mostly centered around him getting sick and dying, but I can certainly understand a general worry about sickness and hospitalization too. It can be really overwhelming and can consume your life because you're always waiting for something to go wrong. I'm a Christian so prayer really helps me, also I started using essential oils (thieves specifically) to keep his immune system boosted and I've seen a noticeable difference. At the end of the day I know that it's terrifying to imagine any kind of sickness hitting your little ones, and it makes it so difficult because we ultimately don't have real control over whether they will get sick or not. It sounds like you're doing an amazing job--keep hanging in there and doing the best you can for your kiddos. You sound like an incredible mom.