Weight loss and health anxiety

specialone0129

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2012

Posts : 505

Posted 3/28/2015 12:06 PM (GMT 0)

I have been attempting to lose weight without much success. I think I'm not eating much but I'm probably nibbling extra calories. Last week I even gained a pound. So this week I lost a pound. Instead of being happy I'm googling symptoms of unexplained weight loss as a first symptom of cancer. I'm actually convinced I have cancer. I know this is nuts but my health anxiety says otherwise. Last week I figured I must have colon cancer due to a symptom which of course has gone away and was not a big deal in the first place. Why do I do this? Seriously I'm up a pound last week and lose a pound the next few days and I'm nuts about it. I know I'd probably have other symptoms along with weight loss but Google says it's possible to have only weight loss with other symptoms you may not have noticed. I should have given up googling symptoms for Lent!!!

deborahscinder

Veteran Member

Joined : Jun 2014

Posts : 1535

Posted 3/28/2015 2:22 PM (GMT 0)

I know, I do that to. If I see my body looking alittle thinner I always think what you think. My advise....STOP goggling symptoms. I know easier said than done. But try. My doctor said that google brings up the worst every time.

Rrakkma

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2011

Posts : 1319

Posted 3/28/2015 2:27 PM (GMT 0)

I feel exactly the same from time to time and it is very weary, I know :/
Instead of getting happy for losing some extra weight, our minds fall to the wrong side thinking we have a serious condition.

Actually, anxiety alone is a reason to lose weight. With or without effort.

There should be really other symptoms than just losing weight, that is true.
I hope you feel better soon

Beth Be Well

Regular Member

Joined : Mar 2014

Posts : 383

Posted 3/28/2015 8:16 PM (GMT 0)

I have health anxiety too so I can totally relate! However let me assure you that our bodies weight naturally fluctuates from day to day by a pound or two. Totally normal! And as for Google...you can literally Google twitchy eye and it will say you have cancer. Don't Google symptoms!!!

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 3/28/2015 9:30 PM (GMT 0)

Well said all...

S.O., I know it is hard when our anxiety shouts...and our rational thought whispers...

...but try not to let your thoughts run wild.;p

Can you try challenging some of these thoughts with the therapy worksheets in our Resources?

Let me know if you need the direct link and I'll post it for you!

S.C.

specialone0129

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2012

Posts : 505

Posted 3/30/2015 12:07 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone. If I would stay away from Google I would be so much better off. And I agree. You can google hang nail and come up with a cancer diagnosis. My seasonal asthma/allergy problem is back as Spring has sprung. So I was googling those symptons as I was sure it was something different this year. Then I went to the allergy board on this site and did a search of my symptoms. And you know what came up? One of my own posts from last year detailing my symptoms and my fear I had cancer!!!! Ugh!!! I keep fearing the same stuff year after year. At least I'm consistent. Thanks for your support and encouragent. I really appreciate it. And S.C. if you could give me the direct link that would be great. Thanks.

Park12

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2009

Posts : 2827

Posted 3/30/2015 12:16 AM (GMT 0)

Special,

My weight fluctuates a pound or two every day or so! If you feel compelled to google, my PCP has said that I'm only allowed to look at Mayo Clinic or WebMd, otherwise I cannot look at anything else!

And ummm....what the heck? Twitchy eye means Cancer?! My eye has been twitching for weeks! Ugh!! ;)

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 3/30/2015 2:07 AM (GMT 0)

Here they are...sorry so late in posting!

Therapy Work Sheets:

http://www.get.gg/freedownloads2.htm

S.C.

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