Hi, this is my first post here! I've recently joined because I am constantly looking for reassurance that I'm not crazy/losing my mind and hope to find some relate-able experiences.

I'm a 23 year old female and have been terrified of v**** since about 8th grade. Not really sure why it started so randomly...never had a bad experience with it. My anxiety started that year for about 2 years or so and then sort of went away. During my first 3 years of high school I was still afraid of v**** but it did not affect my every day life. It wasn't until my senior year that things went horribly. Again, I did not have a bad experience with it...it just kind of occurred randomly. Anyway, long story short, i did not end up going to college for the fear of being around others who might get sick/i didn't want to be sick away from home.
Fast forward a couple years, and things have gotten worse. My stomach hurts CONSTANTLY. Therefore I am constantly cancelling plans/calling out of work/staying home. I've been trying everything to ease my mind and stomach- yoga, eating healthy, chiropractic care, calming tea, chewing ginger... nothing is working! doctors say they don't think anything is wrong medically and then just prescribe more anti-depressants. I don't know what to do. I am miserable and truly feel like I am missing out on life.

I realize this post is kind of sporadic/doesn't include too much detail but I just wanted to get something out there for my first post.
thanks for listening!
may you all find peace of mind