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Severe Anxiety Over Melanom

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 6/6/2015 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
I am so scared I have melanoma. But, I can't bring myself to make an appointment with a dermatologist. The waiting is forever in my area. Different moles give me anxiety at different times of my life. I go back and forth between thinking I'm just having anxiety attacks, to thinking there is an actual issue, to googling over 12 hours a day! I guess I worry that if I go to the doctor, my worst fears will be confirmed. Silly, I know, as everything says catching skin cancer early is the key to survival. Have any of you dealt with this?
Posted 6/6/2015 2:22 PM (GMT 0)
Many things to think of first, has any doctor at any time pointed out to you that you need to watch a certain
mole? When was your last check up? How old are you? Is there any history of such a problem in your family
if none of these things are true, then stop the suicide by google, all you will find are worst case scenarios!

If you are sure this is a HA issue you are in the right place to get help, "you are the key that will unlock
the door to your future happiness". Glad you found us, Peace

Larry ***
Posted 6/6/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Welcome to the anxiety forum, I'm happy you found us but sorry you are dealing with anxiety.

We do have another member with your exact same fear currently, I hope she sees this and chimes in.

I do recommend you make a dr appt, even with your GP as they can look at your moles and tell you if you need to see a dermatologist. I know this is a hard step for you, but you really need to do this in order to feel better.

Know that you are not alone, we all here suffer from anxiety and we will walk this journey with you if you'd like us too.

Please take a look at our resources for self help links.
www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206
Posted 6/8/2015 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I'm in the same boat as you! I get how you are feeling! I saw my GP last week and everything looks normal but he's referring me to a derm just to be safe as one mole seems to be irritated by clothes. I've stopped googling. Between those two, my anxiety has decreased a bit.

I've had anxiety over the same issue for a few years now and I've finally got off my butt and did something about it. This way I can be proactive, get treatment if I need it and then go on living my life.

Please stop with the evil dr google! It only makes things worse! Make an appointment with your GP or if you can, try finding a place that does skin screenings. Not sure where you are but in Ontario you can usually find a plastic surgery clinic that has a good dermatologist and will do skin screenings if you can't wait to see your GP or a wait for a referral to a dermatologist. I'm waiting for the referral derm to call so I can book an appointment with them but I also have one for next week at a clinic- I'll have to pay for that one but it'll help my anxiety!!

Make note of the areas you want checked and any changes you see and if you can, stop checking them all the time. It's working for me. I've stopped checking every area, stopped googling and spending more time with my kids. Trying to keep occupied until my appointments. So far it's working. I'm even thinking of taking up "adult" colouring to get my mind off things.

So my advice-
1) Stop googling- it only makes things worse
2) Make an appt. to get checked
3) Make any notes of the area you want checked
4) Keep yourself occupied
Posted 6/9/2015 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hello!

I'm sorry you feel this way.
My story is smilar. I started with my eyes, then toes and finally with melanoma. And i was troubled with melanoma ( in my mind) 9 months. It was really hard. But difference is that i visited my derm. too many times. I have many moles every part of my body. But they are fine. I did all the things what you do. I even felt when i was walking on street, that one mole is getting bigger just at that moment and ofcourse i had to check that out right away. So i pulled up my jeans and looked at that mole how its growing. I went really bad for me. Panic attack included, all kind of thoughts about skincancer.

But now i'm fine. Really fine. I'm more careful than my friends and family about sunbathing. But it dosen't bother me. First off all go do doctor. Show all you body parts and moles what worry you. If doctor says its ok, than it is. And go to check up regulary once a year is enough. Avoid sunburn and use sun protection. And that is all you can do for your skin. But for you fear about melanoma you must do other things. Go to therapy, maybe start AD, keep yourself busy with easy things, move your self as much as can, stop searching answers from google, avoid topics connected with skincancer, talk to your friends and family, talk your fears out loud s.o. All things together may help. It takes time. Belive me. And the most important thing for me what helped was humor and every time when i was screeing my skin again i just took my best bodylotion out and put it in that place what worried me. I got friends with my moles. It may sound funny, but it worked for me. If you have any guestions? Ask. I know how bad it is.
But belive me you fine soon. I am. I am happy, i feel free, it may come back or i may take another illness, but i live in a moment and do all things what i suggested for you. And i am ok. Yesterday i was on beach with my child, plaing with sand and running around lika i were 5 years old. I didn' t worry about skin at all.

Take care.
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