A Night of Impulse and Anxiety

A Night of Impulse and Anxiety

Kayla, a 19-year-old grappling with OCD, stared at herself in the mirror one late evening. Her molar had been bothering her for weeks, its jagged edge constantly scraping her tongue. Though a dentist had advised extraction, her fear of infection and discomfort kept her from taking the step. That night, frustration took over.

She pried at the decayed tooth using a floss wand until a piece broke off. For a moment, relief flooded her. But as soon as the adrenaline wore off, her OCD-driven thoughts began spiralling.

I didn’t wash my hands! I’ve touched my phone and food, and now, there is an open wound in my gum. What if… what if it’s serious?

Her thoughts turned darker. Could I catch HIV? Could I infect myself? The spiral was relentless, her anxiety growing by the second.

The Question That Sparked a Debate

Desperate for reassurance, Kayla turned to an online forum. She typed her question, trembling with fear: “Can you get HIV from pulling your tooth with dirty hands?”

Within minutes, responses poured in.

“Let’s not pull our own teeth, please? Also, no, you can’t get HIV this way,” a commenter replied bluntly.

Another user offered a more empathetic perspective: “I have OCD, too. HIV doesn’t survive well outside the body, especially when exposed to air. However, you should see a dentist to avoid any risk of infection.”

Kayla felt both judged and reassured. She explained that the tooth was already dead and decayed, and she had an appointment set for its extraction. “The dentist said there’s no infection. I’m just terrified of the germs I might have introduced into the open wound.”

The Power of Reassurance

The responses brought a wave of relief. One commenter’s words struck a chord: “I understand how OCD makes you think of the worst-case scenario. It’s not an ignorant question, and you’re allowed to feel scared. But trust me—you’re okay.”

For the first time that night, Kayla felt a sliver of calm. Hoping for more reassurance, she asked if she could text the commenter privately. The answer came quickly: “Of course.”

Finding Calm Amid Chaos

Though her worries hadn’t completely vanished, the kindness of strangers helped Kayla breathe easier. She knew the road ahead—facing her OCD, attending dental appointments, and finding peace—would be long and challenging. But in this moment, she didn’t feel alone.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes to keep moving forward.