The "OMG I'm dying" hypochondria/mental health thread

[skcin]

Originally Posted by markolas

Not really pertinent to the topic at hand, but why do sooo many men have such wimpy handshakes? I don't want a death grip, but gimme a good, firm handshake, or don't bother.

I agre for both sexes. it's kinda gross. Like holding a dead fish. Grab on, people!

Originally Posted by markolas

And I agree with KC about the germ thing. This anti-bacterial craze is going to be the death of us all.

It has gone overboard. You have to draw the line somewhere. I shake hands for the most part. I am not afraid to touch doorknobs or anything like that. Realistically, you're probably going to "catch something" by droplets being inhaled after someone coughs or sneezes rather than touching something, so unless you want to wear a mask all the time, you're kind of screwed to a certain extent. Germs are not all bad, and our body needs to be exposed to them & get sick from time to time to recognize wtf they are to protect itself for next time - immune response.

I DO purell after I've left a really crowded place like a grocery store or restaurant. And I am careful not to touch my eyes, mouth or nose very much. Shaking someone's hand who has just blown their nose, then you scratching your inner nostril can easily get you sick.

Originally Posted by jannieC

Okay so I am all about washing hands after going to the restroom, but if someone is only urinating, what kind of germs are we worried about on their hands. I do know that Hepatitis B can be passed along from fecal matter, even from a healthy person. And again, please don't misunderstand- I wash my hands after number one AND number two! But I do it because I was taught to, not because I have concerns about someone touching their penis.

I also wonder if singers are more prone to throat infections due to the constant strain on the vocal chords.

That's Hep A, actually. Scenario: Karma's guy has Hep A, goes poop, doesn't wash his hands, then prepares your food. And there ya go.

As for washing hands after peeing, there aren't really contagious germs in pee (it's actually sterile.) Chances of spreading something to someone from pee on your hands are slim to none . HOWEVER - what if that person has active genital warts or herpes lesions? Still not a high likelihood of transmission, but definitely possible. I am not paranoid about "catching something", I just think it's gross not to wash after being in the bathroom.

Originally Posted by markolas

I've decided that I have Hepatitis B even though I have no idea what any of the symptoms are.

Dude, I doubt you have Hep B. But if you're that freaked out, just ask your doc for a blood test. Chances are no, but it is spread the same way HIV is spread so technically you are at a slight risk because you are a man who has sex with men.

And don't go freaking out thinking you have HIV now too!

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by skcin

That's Hep A, actually. Scenario: Karma's guy has Hep A, goes poop, doesn't wash his hands, then prepares your food. And there ya go.

As for washing hands after peeing, there aren't really contagious germs in pee (it's actually sterile.) Chances of spreading something to someone from pee on your hands are slim to none . HOWEVER - what if that person has active genital warts or herpes lesions? Still not a high likelihood of transmission, but definitely possible. I am not paranoid about "catching something", I just think it's gross not to wash after being in the bathroom.

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom.

Sure you do.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom.

Well sure you're gonna say that now!

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Right, thank you for the correction/clarification. And again, I feel compelled to say that I d0 believe in hand washing after using the restroom.

Thought for the Day:
When you walk into a bathroom that reeks of death and feces, just remember that smelling is 10% tasting. YUMMY!!

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I wash my hands after number one AND number two! But I do it because I was taught to, not because I have concerns about someone touching their penis.

I think washing ones hands after going to the bathroom, regardless of the bathroom function, is just something we have been conditioned to do. It provides us with a convenient schedule for washing our hands throughout the day, regardless of whether or not we have touched something contaminated. Accordingly that reduces of transmitting or contracting infections illnesses, etc. That being said, I have often been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to wash up when the bathroom facility is particularly skanky, especially when I am convinced that my b@ll sac is much cleaner than the faucet knob. Sometimes you just have to break with tradition!

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I think washing ones hands after going to the bathroom, regardless of the bathroom function, is just something we have been conditioned to do. It provides us with a convenient schedule for washing our hands throughout the day, regardless of whether or not we have touched something contaminated. Accordingly that reduces of transmitting or contracting infections illnesses, etc. That being said, I have often been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to wash up when the bathroom facility is particularly skanky, especially when I am convinced that my b@ll sac is much cleaner than the faucet knob. Sometimes you just have to break with tradition!

That's what my uncle always says, "sometimes you're better off NOT touching the fixtures, and just getting the hell out!"(if it's a skanky sh*thole of a bathroom).

I'd pay a 50 cent toll, for bathroom doors that open OUTwardly. Shoe, do ur thang!

[skcin]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I think washing ones hands after going to the bathroom, regardless of the bathroom function, is just something we have been conditioned to do. It provides us with a convenient schedule for washing our hands throughout the day, regardless of whether or not we have touched something contaminated. Accordingly that reduces of transmitting or contracting infections illnesses, etc. That being said, I have often been faced with the dilemma of whether or not to wash up when the bathroom facility is particularly skanky, especially when I am convinced that my b@ll sac is much cleaner than the faucet knob. Sometimes you just have to break with tradition!

My problem is when there's no soap. I've heard that rinsing with water won't do much of anything, just spreads the germs around. So I never know if I should bother. That's when I whip out the purell.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by skcin

That's when I whip out the purell.

That's what one cupholder in all of my vehicles is dedicated to! I only buy sizes that fit there, that way it's always there, ready to go!

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

That's what one cupholder in all of my vehicles is dedicated to! I only buy sizes that fit there, that way it's always there, ready to go!

Me too. I started this practice when I was doing in-home therapy. Very handy. Haha, handy. Get it?

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Me too. I started this practice when I was doing in-home therapy. Very handy. Haha, handy. Get it?

Handy germophobes unite!!!!

[markolas]

So, I'm at a point where everything feels like more trouble than it's worth. Even finding a new therapist to talk about this crap with who doesn't charge $100 an hour. Seriously, if you're having this much trouble figuring out whether any of the therapists at your counseling center can deal with gay clients, then maybe I need to go somewhere else.

I couldn't even find a place to park when I tried to go to class today. Why do I bother getting out of bed? The only time life doesn't feel like a complete hassle is when I'm asleep.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by markolas

Seriously, if you're having this much trouble figuring out whether any of the therapists at your counseling center can deal with gay clients, then maybe I need to go somewhere else.

That is awful. In what area of the country do you live? Just out of curiosity, how did your sexuality come up in the intake process?

[markolas]

Originally Posted by jannieC

That is awful. In what area of the country do you live? Just out of curiosity, how did your sexuality come up in the intake process?

Austin, TX.

I'd been going to another counseling center that dealt specifically w/ LGBT clients, but after a couple of bad experiences there, I decided not to go back. So I called this other place, and they set up an appt w/ a woman who I then found out, via their website, was a Christian counselor who was into something called Theophostics, which appears to be some kind of weird Christian prayer therapy. So, I called them and said that wasn't going to work, and asked for someone who had experience working w/ gay clients.

The receptionist/in-take person hemmed & hawed and gave me the name of a therapist she said she'd pass my number on to and have call me back.

I find that it's best to mention that I'm gay as soon as possible in the process; I should've done it this time.

Anyway, I've got a call in to another LGBT counseling center.

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by markolas

Austin, TX.

I'd been going to another counseling center that dealt specifically w/ LGBT clients, but after a couple of bad experiences there, I decided not to go back. So I called this other place, and they set up an appt w/ a woman who I then found out, via their website, was a Christian counselor who was into something called Theophostics, which appears to be some kind of weird Christian prayer therapy. So, I called them and said that wasn't going to work, and asked for someone who had experience working w/ gay clients.

The receptionist/in-take person hemmed & hawed and gave me the name of a therapist she said she'd pass my number on to and have call me back.

I find that it's best to mention that I'm gay as soon as possible in the process; I should've done it this time.

Anyway, I've got a call in to another LGBT counseling center.

I'm sorry to hear about this. It's hard for me to imagine a therapist saying they don't have "experience" with gay clients! I had to Google Theophostics:

"... people are being delivered from phobias, depressions, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, dissociative personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, sexual addictions, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, and homosexuality through Theophostic principles."

I don't even know where to start.