Bed bugs are a very emotional issue that can easily cause psychological problems for people. Even people that have no bed bug infestation but, have had one in the past can suffer from a kind of paranoia about bed bugs.

A bed bug infestation can cause anxiety, among other emotional and psychological issues for weeks, months, and even years, depending on the person and the severity of the insect infestation.

Shame and embarrassment are also common among bed bug sufferers, mostly because of social stigma against bed bugs and other insects. It is a misconception that bed bugs are the result of poor housekeeping, and although it is rare for someone to transport bed bugs on their clothing that they’re wearing, it does happen. Education about bed bugs among sufferers, friends, family, employers and property owners can help alleviate this stress.

Nervousness, jumpiness and experiencing phantom itching and sensations are also common when a person thinks about bed bugs.

There are several ways to cope with the stresses and emotional problems of a bed bug infestation.

If you are being bitten by bed bugs, there are several things you can do to relieve the extreme itchiness.

You may want to try a cortisone cream or poison ivy cream to alleviate the itchiness caused by bed bug bites

Another way to battle getting new bed bug bites and sleeplessness due to middle-of-the-night feedings is to sleep with as much of your body covered as possible, which can mean wearing pants tucked into socks and long-sleeved shirts tucked into pants in bed.

Some people choose to find other places to sleep, such as with friends or family or even a hotel, while combating bed bugs, in order to get more restful sleep. But remember, leaving a home vacant without treating the problem will not make it go away. You should call in a fully licensed and insured bed bug inspection team that can come up with a program, whether it be chemical treatments or thermal remediation, to get rid of the bed bugs. When searching for the right “bed bug guy” look for someone who is compassionate to what you are experiencing. In my experience in dealing with people that have bed bug problems half of the battle is calming them down and letting them know that I truly care about what the are going through.

Reaching out for emotional support is an important part of the healing process when it comes to having a bed bug problem. Shame and embarrassment can often keep people from seeking that kind of care from loved ones. Do your best to find trusted friends and family to get love and support during this difficult time. Once educated about bed bugs, you may find that the people who care about you are more than happy to help you through it, by listening to you and even helping with the cleaning and laundering you have to do. Do not be afraid to ask someone for help in dealing with your bed bug problems.

Other sources of emotional support can come from a psychologist or other counselor, clergy and spiritual teachers.

It can also be helpful to take sick days or personal days from work in order to give your bed bug treatment efforts adequate attention to get the job done well.

Another way to cope with the stress and anxiety of bed bugs is to express yourself through art, writing, music, or even physical activity. So long as you are not harming yourself or others, there is no right or wrong way to express the feelings and emotions you have about your experience. You may also want to play a bed bug game as a way to relieve your frustrations.

If you can’t get the thought of bed bugs out of your mind and it is impacting your life drastically seeing a doctor is a sensible step in the process.