Health Anxiety is Making Me Worse..........Anyone Else.........??

Does anyone have this problem...The logical part of me knows that all of my irrational thinking,tingling feelings,ligh-headedness ,chest tightness,etc.,comes from anxiety. All of my symptoms grow worse when I concentrate on them and diminish when I manage to get my thoughts off of them (which is really hard to do!) And yet I can't help but thinking...If I keep having these symptoms over and over,what if there is really something physically wrong with me? But,on that same note, would I still be able to function normally when I'm not panicking if there was something seriously wrong with me? Furthermore, wouldn't I be in the hospital or dead by now if something was physically wrong with me for so many months? Anybody got any thoughts on this?

Mike,

I totally agree with Lyn.  You are trying so hard to solve your Health Anxiety but I think you are perhaps making it worse.  No book will cover all and even with therapy you will tackle one thing at a time.  It take a lot of hard work and baby steps to learn to deal with your anxiety.

Your thought processes seem to be fixated on the Health Anxiety as you posted two posts within 12 minutes of each other.

So please my friend, do consider a therapist to help you get to a bettter place in your life.

Take care and gentle hugs

Kitt

I get this too. I have to be real careful when I watch Grey's Anatomy, etc., because I obsess that I have the same ailments.

God bless. You will be in my prayers.

Mike:  I suffer from this as well!  I just started reading a book called, "It's NOT all in your head! How worrying about your health could be making you sick--and what you can do about it"

Author:  Gordon J.G. Asmundson and Steven Taylor

So far--it's right on the money for me!  It's easy to read---I took it out from my library first before I buy it b/c I wanted to make sure it was what I wanted---and i am going to purchase it---either Amazon.com or my local bookstore!

You should check this out---and also contact your doctor about what you are experiencing!  I am seeing a therapist (MSW) currently about this---but, I am going to ask my doctor to refer me to a therapist that has experience with Cognitive Behavioral therapy---b/c I need to change my thoughts about things (health, dying, etc...) before they consume me---and this therapist I currently see doesn't really do that for me!

Hang in there---and go get the book!  go to your library----or call them!  Hope this helps a little--and hang in there!  I know how you feel--and you aren't alone! 

Laurel

Thanks Laurel and mtngrl34 For the support and input. I'll check that book out Laurel. I hope we can all find the peace in our lives that we're looking for.

yeah, i agree. Mike, sometimes going to the doctor isnt bad. Especially when your logical mind is tell you its nothing and another part is telling you "but, wait maybe it is". If you have insurance and the tests are covered, I personally would go and get checked out. The fear of going is the worst part, once you are there I think you will be ok. You can always turn around and go home, all that is ok too.

Take care of yourself, and you gave some good advice to yourself... Don't watch those medical shows, or anything that may trigger more anxiety. I hate to say stuff like this, but i think thats what gets ratings on television. The drama, the fear... It keeps people tuned in...

about 10 years ago my dad said, " I cant watch the news anymore...Its only bad things they report, and its started to really make me depressed to watch". He still is in touch with what is going on, he just found ways to recieve information that isnt something that causes him depression. I'm like that too. I cant watch those doctor shows, see scary movies, watch the news, its all too much for me... So i dont, and i seem to be better off. I think if something was really important for me to know, some one will tell me :) Anyways, good luck try and be in the moment. We're our own worse enemy (and best friend) and what you're feeling is felt by many of us... Its really tough!!! so be easy on yourself. Try to embrace what is happening (as bad as that may sound). You seem very in tune with things! If you can channel that same energy into some other thought patterns, you'll feel a lot better. I know thats stating the obvious and i know that saying something or knowing something is the easy part -- Making the change is so very hard, so please dont be hard on yourself...

One step at a time :)

take care
dan

I agree; thanks Dan( And Lyn). I'm going to talk to a client of mine(I'm a Hairstylist). She is a therapist, and I'm going to see if she can recommend a plan of action for me. Also, I'm trying to get insurance right now and hopefully,when I get it, I can get a few test done to ease my mind. When you first get insurance, don't they check your blood and urine, first off, to see if there's anything already wrong with you...to make sure there is nothing pre-existing? Even a small testing like that would help ease my mind. One more thing I've noticed...My fear of dying and being ill has a lot less to do with my actual fear of dying (I'm confident in where I'm going,after death) But more with my fear of what will happen to my little girl(If something happens to me). I'm always worried she'll be left alone in the apartment if something were to happen to me in the middle of the night. I'm also worried she would end up back with her mom (Which wouldn't be a good thing).

Thanks Lyn. You're right...We will be fine. I'm sorry to hear about your separation. I hope you can work things out someday(If it's meant to be), for your daughter, as well as for you. I understand your feelings that you were robbing him of a life, but you seem like a very caring and compassionate person to me, and I don't feel like you could rob anyone of a life. You certainly have helped me with the posts and suggestions you have given me! GOD Love Ya!!!

Mike

I'm glad to be part of this family. I've been on other forums and other sites, but I truly have never felt the love and compassion I feel here. The people on here really do care about each other. On several nights, I've felt the ugly hand of anxiety, and gotten on this sight, and felt better just being on here; writing and reading what others have posted. I believe GOD sent me here to help ease my worries and I appreciate all of the advise everyone has given me. I want everyone to know I'm here for them too!!! GOD bless you all and thanks for making me feel so at home on this site!!! MIKE

I just wanted you to know that alot of us here know exactly what you're going thru. I too suffer terrible health anxiety. At times it even has controlled my entire life. I suffered nightmares about the same health related things I worried about during the day. My anxiety focuses on one disease in particular and never leaves. I still battle thoughts about it but I am very lucky in that I have a wonderful regular doctor who knows and is always willing to reassure me. I am waiting for health insurance so I can get into therapy for this problem. My mom is also fantastic about my health anxiety. She is always there to reassure me no matter how many times a day I need it. Having a strong support system is a must and this site is the greatest for that!. Everyone here is so kind. I am glad you found us!

Shelly

Thanks Shelley...GOD BLESS You and thanks for the encouraging words!

Hey Lyn.. I'm doing ok. My psychiatrist has a nurse that has been very helpful. She talked to my psychiatrist right away,when I talked to her about my problems with the Pexeva. I've been on Lexapro for three days now and don't seem to be having the same problems I was having with Pexeva. I'm sure Pexeva works great for lots of people...It just wasn't right for me. I'll PRAY you get to feeling better. Also...I sent you an e-mail...Did you get it?