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Is this Rabies OCD or just phobia?
I have taken almost 18+ anti rabies vaccine for the last 6 months , recently completed 4 doses on 15th of February 2026.
Every time I go for a walk outside, when a stray dog passes by, i constantly overthink and Look around my legs whether the dog has bitten me or scratched me even though I didn't feel any pain. I come back home and wash both my legs for 15 mins with soap and water just in case the dog might have licked, scratched or bitten me and I didn't feel anything.
If I have a open wound on my legs caused by some other accident. Whenever I am around dogs or cats or any mammal I suddenly think , did the dog lick my wound and didn't pay attention to it.
The thought of dying by rabies just triggers my mind to go and have an ARV. I have noticed this pattern after taking the vaccine and I am tired of this cycle.
Recently I even did an Rabies Antibody test where my IU/ml was greater than 4.0 which means I have lot of antibodies in my body but still I took 4 doses of arv again.help
Answers (11)
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Based on your description, this pattern seems more related to health anxiety or OCD-type intrusive thoughts rather than actual rabies exposure. Repeated checking, excessive washing, and taking vaccines despite reassurance suggests an anxiety cycle. It would be helpful to consult a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist for proper assessment and CBT-based treatment to manage these thoughts and behaviours.
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It seems to be a post traumatic experience leading to IAD, which is a type of anxiety.
It needs to be treated asap otherwise it may get complicated and can affect your personal and social life.
Getting vaccinated so many times without any proper exposure can be harmful
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.
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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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From what you’ve described, this sounds much more like anxiety (possibly health anxiety/OCD patterns) rather than a rabies risk. You’ve completed multiple vaccines and even have high antibody levels — medically, you are protected. Yet the fear keeps coming back. That tells us the problem is the anxiety cycle, not the virus.
The constant checking, washing, and taking vaccines “just in case” may be temporarily calming you, but they are actually reinforcing the fear long term.
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This is very treatable with the right psychological support, especially OCD-focused therapy. You’re not irrational, you’re stuck in a fear loop, and that can be worked through.
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You don’t need another vaccine. You need psychological support for the anxiety. And that is absolutely manageable.
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This looks more like OCD than phobia. Because there is reassurance, inflated responsibility, over estimation of threat and intolerance of uncertainty.
Please reach out to a clinical psychologist (RCI registered) for therapy.
Next Steps
ERP and CBT for OCD
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