I don't know where else to turn. I cannot speak to anyone else, for I fear
no one will understand me. The extent that this fear drives me is
completely intense and terrifying. The history behind it and my struggle
with it have only increased the feelings I have today. For a time, my fear
subsided, but lately it has flared and has gotten in the way of my life.
Please, bear with me as I tell you this sad and long tale. My fear of v* has
always been in my life, always has been a part of me. After the
catastrophic Hurricane Wilma, I was terrified to eat anything, due to fear
of it being contaminated. I weighed 50 pounds at age eleven. Throughout
the years after my v* experience, I was cautious about everything. My
school has offered a field trip to Islands of Adventure, which I did not
attend. I am upset because I would have liked to go but what was too
frightened to do so. There are so many things I'd like to do, but cannot
because of this awful and debilitating fear I have. I know this fear is
irrational and I say to myself that I will be okay should a bout strike me,
but when the slightest discomfort appears, I panic. I'm afraid that I will
fall ill so far away from home. I don't want to think like this, and I
certainly do not want to live like this. I wish someone would understand
me.