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Is Delusional Parasitosis A Symptom Of Anxiety?

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Posted on Mon, 15 May 2017
Question: Im having little tiny bugs flying around me. Bitting people that get clise to me. Im thinking they are some kind if mites. They look like little white specks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru (40 minutes later)
Hello,

I think you can spray anti-insect repellant on yourself, so that those bugs may not bite you. I think you can even buy an insect repellant which when sprayed in the air will actually kill those bugs. This will save you from applying the spray on your skin. That way you are safe as well. Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru (5 hours later)
Ive tried that. In fact i did it today before my family dinner and everyonr moved to a different room and closed the door. I just need to know what to do. My dr wants me to see a counselor. He was no help. Im sure i will need to. Cause this is just about tp get the best of me. Im about to have a nervous break down. With my job i go to 10 new houses a day to inspect their house. I have such anxiety at every house. I camt do this anymore.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for your query. I understand your concerns.

I would appreciate if you can reply back to me regarding the following queries.

1) When you used the spray, did the bugs disappear? Are you getting any rash?

2) Are you the only person that is seeing the bugs or have any other family member or friends or other people seen the bugs. Are the bugs biting only you or has any other family member/friend mentioned that the bugs are biting them too.

3) Have you been stressed lately? Any worries about finances, family or work?

4) Are you able to relax after reaching home? How is your sleep?

5) Are you normally an anxious person? Have you been able to withstand life’s stresses till now quite well?

6)Do you have any other symptoms like palpitations (fast heart beat), feeling of impending doom, breathing fast, tingling around the mouth/hands and legs? When do you get the symptoms?

6) How is your mood – do you feel low, crying? How do you see your future?

7) Do you have any support at home - does anyone live with you at home? What do they say?

If you could kindly reply to me then, I can advise you further.

Thank you
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru (4 days later)
1). No it seem that nothing phases them. As for a rash. Sometimes i get really blotchy. Red areas that are puffy but it doesnt last very long. 20 minutes or so.

2). No im not the only person. Everytime i get even near someone. They start scratching. I can tell they are really getting to them. They dont seem to bother me like that. Or i have just got used to them. Disgusting i have not talked to anyone bout this except my dr and my boss.

3). Work used to stress me but that person has quit so its a lot better. I work for an exterminator company and i go into 12 houses a day and also crawl under them. And awhile back my boss would not get me a clean suit to wear under the houses. I went 5 weks like that. Im thinking that is where i picked this up at.

4). No i dont relax at home because my problem is there too. See it all started about six months ago. I started feeling like there was something in my mattress. It felt like it was movinf around cery slow and my thouggts was it was a snake. Then i started feeling it in my work truck seat and moving around the cab. I mean it would get into the dash you can hear the dash popping and you could see the dash moving under the presssure of something in it. But i never seen one with my eyes. Just stuff like that. Then i started feeling them on me. See that black thing on my should. The bugs seem to come when that thing does.
Next pics are of the break out i get this something in my hair
Ass for do i sleep good. No a couple hours a night cause i mived into the the chair in the living room. Cause what ever is in my bed creeped me out.

5). Im somewhat anxious. Not over board tho. Life stress are what they are. Theres nothing that will change it. So really no bug deal. I did lose my mom in dec of 2013. And that has done some damage. I miss her.
6). No no doom feeling. Im not going to hurt myself. I just cant stand this. I feel nasty that i have this happening. Im not a dirty person but i feel like im nasty dirty filthy person that has all kinds of things crawling in me. Do you think yhe snake like feeling i feel is maybe intestinal worms. Do they come out of you. Sometimes if feel something going in and out both holes.


6). As for my mood im depressed. Have been most of my life. I never could have children and that pretty much did it for me. I dont know what happness is. I have no idea how to be happy.

7). As for support. I live alone. And i keep most of my issues to myself. I dont what people to see me when im down.
So that sums it up .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru (21 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome back.

Thank you describing your problem in detail.

I did look at the pictures that you sent. I am unable to appreciate the rash though.

I think that you are going through a lot of stress in your workplace. I don’t think your boss is of much help either. Anxiety and stress can cause a person to feel and see things that he may not have done before.

You also mentioned that you are depressed. Anxiety and depression - having both can bog you down; sometimes you cannot see the wood for the trees. You have so many unresolved issues.

I would advise you to see a psychiatrist (not a counsellor). A counsellor can only counsel, he may not be able to treat your condition. I feel you need medicines to help you with the anxiety and depression. Kindly see a psychiatrist in person-as a face to face appointment rather than an online appointment at least for the first 2-3 times, so that he can assess you thoroughly and start you on appropriate medication. A psychiatrist can also refer you to an appropriate talking therapy if the need arises.

As for the itch, you can use anti-histamine like Cetirizine or Fexofenadine, and also apply calamine lotion.

I wish you good luck and a speedy recovery.

Kind regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
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Answered by
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Dr. Sunita Sayammagaru

Diabetologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 259 Questions

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Is Delusional Parasitosis A Symptom Of Anxiety?

Hello, I think you can spray anti-insect repellant on yourself, so that those bugs may not bite you. I think you can even buy an insect repellant which when sprayed in the air will actually kill those bugs. This will save you from applying the spray on your skin. That way you are safe as well. Thank you