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Question for Health Anxiety...How Do You Decide When a Dr. Visit is Necessary???

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 7/6/2017 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
With my health anxiety I feel like a hypochondriac and that my doctor attributes most of my issues to anxiety. How do you know when something is anxiety vs needing an actual dr. visit? Thanks!
Posted 7/6/2017 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
I struggle with the same thing and want to go see a doctor every little sensation I feel. I have to go back to coping techniques and my doctor has always been reassuring. Just had my full physical a couple months ago and Dr. says everything looked ok, with the exception of a vitamin D. Deficiency.

My wife is usually my go to whether a doctor's office visit is warranted. She's real good at talking me down or telling me I should go see a doc.
Posted 7/6/2017 9:37 PM (GMT 0)
FR,

This can be difficult because of the varying and profound effects anxiety can cause!

Usually anxiety symptoms are transient...so if you experience persistent issues...or symptoms that escalate in severity and are not relieved by either meds, or coping skills...then it may be worth getting checked out.

Otherwise, use those tools and use a rescue Rx if applicable...for relief...and save yourself uneeded doctor/ER visits.

Be well!

S.C.
Posted 7/6/2017 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Also I would like to add that it took me time to trust my doctor. When she would tell me everything was alright, I would feel relief momentarily. Sometime later the what ifs would hit me like a ton of bricks. What if she was wrong, what if she missed this, what if this, what if that. She's been my doc for close to a decade now, so I have to keep reminding myself to trust her and her word.
Posted 7/7/2017 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi T31

It can be confusing , especially with tight chest and pounding /racing heart symptons. Sometimes your normal coping skills doesn't work immediately so when my anxiety is severe I get in my car and drive around the block, or call someone or I sneeze twice or thrice with the help of white pepper powder..otherwise if its normal I watch u tube and do breathing exercize... I don't think also if I will tell the difference if oneday i become real sick physically..
Posted 7/9/2017 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I'm kind of lucky in that I see my naturopath every 2 weeks for my neuro feedback appt (highly recommend) and he always lets me run through my latest crap. However, generally I suffer in silence. As a kid I was shamed a bit for my hypochondria (it started when I was 9 and my 5 year old brother had cancer) and constantly told I was making it up, so I never go to the doctor. I'm scared of MD's because they have put me on sooooo much medication over the years that I just don't see them anymore unless it's a situation I can't essential oil away. I use my husband as a good indicator. If he is worried... I go to the doctor.
I would love an answer to this question as well.
new to asking for help.
Posted 7/9/2017 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Sarah Cooper,
Me too, same story! My anxiety has always been there off and on since I was a kid. When my youngest son got cancer, I went off the chart with anxiety attacks and full blown hypochondria. The year has only been half way through and I have already gone through my insurance deductible with doctor visits and screening tests. My family is fed up (but kind) when hearing my newest "illness of the week." It's pure insanity. My solution was a trip to my GP for meds and counseling/therapy referral. Life is too short to live like this.
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