Overcoming health anxiety

Hi everyone. I'm a new member to this site in search or some sort of comfort and healing. I am a 20 year old woman with a 3 year old and a 5 month old. Since I've been postpartum with my last baby my health anxiety has hit me like a train. No matter what feeling I have, I'm convinced I'm dying. I have been to the hospital multiple times. I've had EKGs MRI, all blood tests, ultraounds, chest x-rays. Just about all the testing you can come up with as normal. They play it off as anxiety and suggest a medication. I am not willing to try these medications as I watched my mother use these and they made her into a new person. She was so out of it all the time and I don't want that for my kids. I have a great fiance but he doesn't understand my condition so he's not much help as of now. I have had a chest pain that comes and goes as well as m owing in location. Even into my ribs it seems. Sore to the touch and sudden twitching feelings. My Pc says it's anxiety but wants to do a 24 hour heart monitor to reassure me. But she has not gotten it ordered yet. I feel like I should go to the doctor but don't want to be called crazy again. It's begin ing to consume my life. Any healing suggestions or reaction to this is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hello and welcome.

I am sorry you are having a tough time with anxiety and health worries. I understand completely what a difficult challenge this is.

If medication is something you want to avoid, then therapy and self help are going to be your best options for treatment.

Talking to your doctor about a therapy referral should be a step you take soon...

..and for now, you can get started with coping skills found in our Resources at the top of the main forum page here. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key.

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat

Hey there, welcome!

When you have anxiety, every bodily sensation gets amplified and your worried mind picks up on it. In my situation, whether it's an ache, a heart flutter (or what I think is that), dizziness, wobbly legs...my brain zeroes in on it light a laser beam. You have to consciously realize that it's anxiety and remind yourself of that...each and every time, which can get tiring.

I also wouldn't shut the door on medication. When I started Lexapro I wasn't sure of it at all...it actually made my anxiety worse for a little bit and yes it did kinda make me out of it thereafter. However, as my mind got used to it, things normalized and honestly, I have overall felt so much better I can't imagine not taking it.

My final thought to you is be very firm in telling yourself that you have checked out medically with flying colors. With all those tests, if something were amiss, you'd know about it.

Hang in there!

Dee,

I answered on your other post regarding this question.

S.C.