HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Anxiety and Hypochondria?

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/31/2011 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello friends,
Just a general question...How many of you constantly worry about diseases, cancer, etc.? I find myself constantly worrying about health issues and don't know why. It's almost unbearable. I feel so much anxiety over it. I also have the "what ifs" constantly. I basically worry 24/7. It makes me tired, I have digestive issues...which I have had checked out very thoroughly with no signifigant findings. I'm thinking I'm doing this to myself. Any idea if hypochondria can be my issue? I also have white coat syndrome....terrified of the doctor.
Basically I'm just needing a friend to share their story so I can possibly put my mind at ease. Also wanting to know of any articles or books to help me with this.
Thank you friends.
Posted 12/31/2011 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shelly1979,

While I can empathize with what you are dealing with, health anxiety is not one of my issues. However, before I was diagnosed with panic disorder, I was extremely vigilant about any seemingly different biological reactions my body had; now I do the opposite and simply assume it is my mind betraying me once again (not always a good thing either).

I have known people who obsess about every symptom or change that they perceive in their body and it certainly sounds like this would be stressful. Be mindful that stress can play a number on your stomach.

As is often touted on this site, CBT is probably your best bet to dealing with your hypochondria. A new book from New Harbinger Publications has just recently been released called 'Overcoming Health Anxiety.' You can look it up on the publisher's site or via Amazon; it may be helpful.

Good luck and have a happy New Year,

DarkWolf
Posted 12/31/2011 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Shelly, you just described me perfectly. I worry about everything. Stress is tearing my body apart. I worry about bathroom issues being something fatal which makes me have to go even more. I know that my mind is controlling my body, but I just can't make it stop.

I will post my email in my profile if you want to talk privatelyl

Annie
Posted 12/31/2011 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi dark wolf and anxious Annie,
Thank you for your responses. I find that I feel better knowing that I'm not alone. I am 32 with two sons, ages 2 and 4. I am married and work as a photographer after teaching elementary school for 10 years.
I've always been a "nervous" person that constantly worries about everything that I have no control over. Health issues scare me the most. It's almost dehibilatiting at times. I've had doctors tell me that I have anxiety, but I refuse to take medication. I have not been diagnosed with hypochondria, yet I know it is what I suffer from most. I just can't get it out of my mind. I know I'm not "crazy", I just have this problem and I hate it. I know I have panic attack symptoms, dizziness, shortness of breath, IBS-Diarrhea, fatigue, it's like my mind is tired. I know if I could stop the health anxiety, I would be a new person....I guess I just don't know how to stop it. I can remember being in jr. High school having health fears...it just seems that it has became more aggressive after I graduated college, my parents bitter diverse, getting married, moving to a different town, and having children.
I appreciate your responses. :)
Posted 12/31/2011 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
shelly1979

I worry about worrying..... shocked !  You are not alone.  I have been dealing with anxiety for 29 years but I promise you that you can learn to control your thoughts and feelings.  Just remember you have anxiety, anxiety does not have you.

Happy New Year,

Kitt

Posted 12/31/2011 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
Shelly, I too suffer from extreme health anxiety/hypochondria. I took myself to the ER several times over the 25 years i've been dealing with my anxiety/panic disorders, thinking that I was having a heart attack or a stroke or something, only for them to tell me that all my tests came back normal and it was just a panic attack.

The last two times I was there (October and November) they gave me 1 mg of Ativan through IV and it calmed me in no time, BUT even after blood work and EKG's, I still am paranoid about my heart. Go figure! LOL! I am slowly learning how to deal with it, and it's not so bad anymore after going on Zoloft and Xanax.

Unfortunately, i've tried other methods like CBT and such with no luck, so the only thing that really works for me is medication.

You are not alone, trust me! Hope you are feeling well, Fox
Posted 12/31/2011 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I suffer from the same thing and it is horrible:( i am giving medication a try and it has helped a bit , im paranoid to go out anywhere cuz i dont know howvim going to feel, i get lightheaded, dizzy, chest pain and i think im gunna die... Im trying to stay away from doctor google as well
Posted 12/31/2011 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Airbabe, you make a valid point. Googling symptoms on the Internet is the worst thing I can do. Of course I have done that before andit makes it worse!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply