That makes complete sense, yeah. I'd often rather be blissfully unaware then look back at something I did/was exposed to that someone on here picked up on as being a terrifying experience and think "wow, I did it. I managed to avoid the anxiety because I just didn't have a CLUE. And I was fine." I do, however, sometimes fall victim to the dreaded Google search on noro levels across the country - the more panic my brain is fed, the more it needs to explore every possible avenue to try and a/ convince me that it's not as bad as I thought (rare), or b/ heighten my awareness of sv* levels so I can avoid, well, life in general at all costs (frequent).

Ignorance is bliss, they say - but once you're on here, ignorance is the last thing you'll experience. What I always try to work out is would I rather plough on with a lower level of awareness knowing that there *could* (potentially) be a higher level of me picking something up BUT be happier and less anxious, or cram my brain with every noro refernece/definition/avoidance technique under the sun and drive myself insane through anxiety and panic, knowing full well that although my chances could be lower, it's never IMPOSSIBLE to contract an sv*. That was a stupidly long sentence. Guess what it comes down to is that anxiety is predominantly, if not entirely, responsible for the emet and its physical implications. While I love this website and have found comfort here on countless occasions, I am fully aware that it does increase my anxiety. And as such....well. I think you know the point I'm trying to make. Ramble ramble ramble. MY BRAIN IS SUCH A MESS!