I think I'm losing the plot guys - major Health Anxiety

I've posted on here a few times in the past few months when my anxiety has been really bad, but everytime I think I'm getting better I lapse back into anxiety, and it's getting worse each time.
I've suffered with anxiety for 14 years now. At first it was Social Anxiety, I used to panic being in crowds, around strangers etc. Eventually the Social Anxiety eased off and it was just Generalized Anxiety for many years, until a couple of years ago when the Health Anxiety kicked in, and without a doubt it's this that has caused me the most distress. I've convinced myself I've had every major disease - even though the doctors have told me im fine. Symptoms wise I've had the lot - headaches, dizzy spells, diarrhea, constipation, muscular pains, numbness in my face, tingling scalp, stomach and bowel churning, chest pains, itching, as well as dreadful thoughts of death, dying, catastrophe and despair.

Anyway, for the past few weeks I was convinced I was about to have a heart attack or a stroke due to the physical symptoms I was having, and ended up at the doctors where I had an ECG heart monitor check, which came back normal. I also had blood taken (at the 2nd attempt after suffering a major panic attack at the first attempt which meant they couldn't get any blood out of me), and tested me for a load of different things. My blood test results showed everything was fine.

So that should have reassured me and helped my anxiety ease off right? Wrong! The day after I was told everything was fine the physical symptoms I had been suffering with more or less vanished, only to be replaced by new physical symptoms which I'm suffering with right now - mainly a dull ache in the groin/pelvic area, along with bloating in my stomach and colon. I've had the bloated feeling before but the pain is a new one, it feels muscular but in my anxiety fueled state im worried its more than that.

I'm currently not on any medication, I was on Diazepam but it was only temporary. I have yet another doctor appointment tomorrow and im going to tell the doctor I feel like im losing my mind with this Health Anxiety. As soon as i get one issue sorted out another one comes along right behind it. I'm going to ask my doctor for anti-anxiety medication, as I've been having CBT but it's not helping me much at all.

I'm even starting to think I may be Bi-Polar, as recently I've found myself in such an agitated state at times I feel like I can't get my words out when I try to speak, and if I'm having a conversation with someone, I can't be bothered waiting for them to stop talking I just want to jump in and do the talking. I've NEVER been like that before

Sorry for such a long message, just wanted to know if anyone else has had similar symptoms, and what anti-anxiety medication people are on, especially any UK members who may be on here as I live in Scotland.

Thanks guys

Good Morning,

You are not losing it and please know there are many people that have health anxiety.  We all have a bit of it from time to time but for you it has become a major problem.

There are two main characteristics that need to be addressed to help the person cope with their anxiety about body sensations.

1. Misinterpreting body symptoms as something indicating a serious or threatening health problem
2. Using ‘safety-seeking behaviour’ to cope with this anxiety, but in fact maintains it

CBT  (Cognitive-behavioral therapy)  helps the people with Health Anxiety  to address and cope with bothersome physical symptoms and illness worries and is found helpful in reducing the intensity and frequency of troubling bodily symptoms. SSRIs can reduce obsessive worry through adjusting neurotransmitter levels and have been shown to be effective as treatments for anxiety and depression as well as for hypochondriasis.

I would like to recommend that you talk with your Doctor re seeking out therapy to help you learn to deal with Health Anxiety.  Please know we care and we are always here for yuo.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Strachan, yes keep going to your CBT! it works, but does take time. My experience was that the benefits started out slow and few and far between. I, like you, was getting discouraged. Suddenly though, the results started to snowball, gaining speed and getting bigger and better.
If you feel like everyday is getting too much, and you're wanting to give up, try getting some anxiety/panic self-help books from the library or book store. When I got impatient and had all I could take at one point, I did this. I must have read every book at my library and bought several work-books as well! Knowledge is power! This could help you gain information AND give you a sense of control over your situation;)
Good luck, and let us know how you're doing soon,
Scaredy Cat