Tw: Bugs

Post-Bedbug Distress

Looking for any advice, solutions, or tips people might have, please. Recently diagnosed with OCD due to severe anxiety about getting bedbugs again after a 6 month, $5k, dump 90% of my belongings and move infestation with them two years ago.

But it’s not entirely clear to me if I have just OCD or PTSD as well. I am definitely traumatized and unable to move past it. Constantly feel like I’m dealing with it or will be. On a bunch of meds to address it and none seem to be working.

I know I don’t have them at this moment today, but every time I go out anywhere - restaurant, doctor’s office, Uber, etc., I worry that I’m going to pick them up on my clothes and bring them home. So I am always bagging my clothes when I walk in, throwing out and replacing almost everything/anything that is not clothing on the few occasions I have traveled. No longer carry a wallet most places. Have had dog inspections 7-8 times - anytime I suspect I may have brought one back or notice what looks like a bite on my skin.

Anyway, that’s all symptoms or steps I’ve taken to try to feel better about it, but it doesn’t really relieve the anxiety - just lessens it - and I don’t know how to stop feeling like this. It’s ruining every aspect, and to some extent, every interaction in my life.

From Google search, it seems like no one has found magic solution but wondering if anyone out there has found anything close? Thanks. And sorry if I ranted too much.