Picture the little kid crying in front of Mom. She’s wagging a finger at him saying, “I’ll give you something to cry about!” Anyone else feeling that way or is it just me? Terrorism, recession, and now what? Swine flu? …
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Site last updated: 19 Jun 2013
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Hello Dr. Aletta,
Very good advice. We also worry about our clients and readers with OCD and anxiety disorders. In fact, we issue a warning for those who are getting exposure and response prevention treatment. You can read about it at…http://tiny.cc/XmJrR. Thanks, Dr. Laura Smith
Dr. Smith: Thank you for the link. I put it in the body of the post.
hey,
I am a younger kid and want to know more about this sickness and came to your post.. At first glance, I didnt think that I would get anything out of it, but a little later I realized that this is a clever post, and very true. Why are they repeating this and saying not to worry so many times? If they are repeatedly saying not to worry, not to worry, then shouldnt we worry becasue its coming up so much?
Great post!!!
EXCELLENT!!
Good advice, but there’s a bit more too. We can do some more active things to protect ourselves, like making sure we’re washing our hands and keeping our kids home (or ourselves) if there are signs of illness. It’s important not to get too worried, but it’s also important not to neglect some basic illness prevention techniques too.
Sean, To me a ‘younger kid’ could be anyone between 11 and 25! Whichever you are, thanks for taking the time to appreciate what I was trying to get across. You are obviously very intelligent and will go far!
Tricia, I totally agree with you. I like how you suggest taking preventive measures as an action. Also take a look at the link to the CDC in the post. The Center for Disease Control is the clearing house for public health concerns for the US. It is factual and good common sense info for everyone.
Thanks so much for this post. I have OCD and GAD and to tell the truth, I stumbled across your blog in a panicked flurry of swine flu-related googling. Reading this made me feel a lot better. (Especially the “oinkment” joke).
Thanks!
Thank you for this, very helpful for me.
Today I discovered that I’m stressing myself out by reading too much about this swine flu. I’m going to turn off the computer now and do some housework, then some light fun reading.
I’m reminding myself that triggering anxiety doesn’t make me any safer, it just wears me out. If I really really need to know something, I’ll probably be told. Reading the CDC and WHO site briefly once or twice a day and then purposefully doing something else is all I need, I don’t need to flood myself with stressful reading. I’m safe.
Dear Meg and Sarah,
I’m so glad you found comfort in my post. That is always my hope. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
A real antidote for anxiety! maybe you could do an interview on CNN? Kidding.
One concrete action that might be helpful (I read this somewhere in the past) – store up on things like canned or instant mix soup and Gator-ade (and maybe ginger ale or cola if they help you with nausea)Then if you or a family member becomes ill with the flu(any flu) you have a great source of fluids at hand, requiring no prep and no trips to a grocery – at a time when you won’t want to move.
Cheryl, I love this! There have been times when I’m not feeling well and I’m so happy to find a can of chicken noodle soup (the old fashioned Campbell’s add a can of water kind, just like Mom used to make) in the pantry! http://draletta.typepad.com/explorewhatsnext/2008/11/the-up-side-of-being-sick.html
This is all good information. I try to keep my immune system strong by taking vitamins and supplements (vitamins C & D3, elderberry extract and probiotics). I wash my hands more frequently now and use a hand sanitizer. This weekend I bought air purifiers for my home and office. Since I know a lot of people doing the same thing and are on a budget too, I just wanted to pass on that I went to a favorite site of mine, Vitacost.com (www.vitacost.com) to get everything for a really good price.
When I went to get a couple of things this weekend, I found out that they are including a free Vitacost Healthy Living Kit with a $50 purchase. The kit contains a Vitacost shaker cup, a pill case and a mouse pad with a healthy eating guide printed on it. I think it’s going on until the end of May. Just enter Source Code WD95BG at checkout. Stay well.
In the words of Douglas Adams, DON’T PANIC! Just be careful, as you would in typical sickness season, and you’ll be just fine.
that’s exactly how i feel…