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Hypochondria is Ruining my Life

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 5/24/2017 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, I'm Aaron, I have had pretty severe Anxiety and Panic Attacks for about 4-5 years. I am 22 now. Pretty much all day long I always find something 'wrong' with my body and pay excessive attention to it all day and night long. For instance I always pay attention to my heartbeat, and when I get a Skipped beat or palpitation I automatically go into a panic attack Frenzy.
And just the other day I started 'Conscious' breathing too much, which is where I breath without my body doing it automatically for me. And it feels as if I'm not breathing right. Even though I get full breaths in.

It's really ruining my life. Every day I can't wait to go to sleep so I don't have to experience my Anxiety for a few hours. I am not on medication or Anything like that, but fear if I get on it the side effects will make it worse. I just need some advice on how to cope with my hypochondria. Thank you in advance :]
Posted 5/24/2017 5:35 AM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome..

I am sorry to hear of your challenges with anxiety and panic. I know how frustrating, scary and exhausting this can be.

The good news is that there is help and hope for recovery and feeling your best again .

You mention wanting to avoid medication...so have you explored both therapy and your self help options?

You can request a referral for therapy from your doctor...

...and get started with self guided material by checking out our Resources at the top of the main forum page here. We even have book recommendations and help for health anxiety links right there.

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

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 5/24/2017 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Aaron, Welcome!

Posting here was a wonderful step to take. I've found so much help and support here.

Your situation sounds much like my own. I have pretty pad health anxiety. I too was very reluctant to start medication but once I did things got much, much better. I've only been on it for a few months, so I still have some ups and downs, but it's mostly all up and getting better.

I've also recently started therapy. I cannot express how much help it's been and I've only been to two sessions.

The self help resources here have been extremely helpful. Especially the mantras and breathing techniques. There's some videos on YouTube that have been very helpful as well. Guided meditation and yoga and breathing videos.

Take it a day at a time. Things will get better if you allow them.

Peaceful and positive thoughts!
Posted 6/6/2017 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Aaron,
I've been dealing with the exact same issues. I finally just got up the nerve to go to my doctor and get him to do a full physical exam, he did a neurological exam (check the senses and reflexes), listened to my heartbeat and lungs, and other random things to put my mind at ease. After I did that I felt a million times better, I still get some health anxiety, but I can more than likely calm myself down about it. If you can, I definitely recommend it.
Also I used to be afraid of medication too and I finally got myself to start taking some and the side effects were rough for a week but they went away and I'm glad I did it.
Hope this helps a little!
Posted 6/6/2017 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Also try to remember that anxiety causes a lot of physiological symptoms too, that can make you think it's something more serious
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