Hoping you can help a terrified individual...

[sleepygeckos]

If you have someone in your area that works with or is qualified to do EMDR, it can make a world of difference. It stands for: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and it works. It sounds like sci-fi or a load of crap but basically the doctor has you focus on a moving light board of led's that is a single strip that goes back and forth at varying speeds. They'll have you recall the event that causes your anxiety while focusing on the light board and then speed up and slow it down as they progress in the therapy session. The light tricks your brain, through the movement of your eyes, to change the neuro pathways that is causing your anxiety.

Sorry, a little late to the thread, but EMDR seems completely and totally crazy - and it can really help anxiety disorders. It is usually expensive (boo) and the "eye" part is now a holdover from old times, most practitioners use little buzzers you hold to produce the mind/body disconnect required to change the brain's response. Totally and completely sounds unreal, but it is the US military approved treatment for PTSD and it is finally gaining ground outside for "normal" people to try.

As for the worry about rabies... I worked for an SSI/RSDI lawyer for a while and spent a lot of time telling people to just ask their clinics if you can't afford something. You'd be surprised: almost all will work out a payment plan and many have programs to help. You never know until you ask. Another great resource is 411.org, United Way's free service that'll help you find free clinics and assistance. Just some thoughts - and maybe you can get some more anxiety treatment too, if it is free. Good luck! Stay well!