Dr google!

Hi everyone, ok I confess I was a dr google addict spending hours and I do mean hours googling symptoms, working myself into a frenzy over what I found, having panic attacks over things I read.... Just wondering how many of you with health anxiety or any anxiety have fallen victim to dr google?

My psch dr said that I an one of the worst Googlers he had ever seen, he even said I was a cyberchondriac.... Any way I am now banned from the evil dr google, and while I'm sure he does have some good info on there for people like me it's a no no....

So come on just for fun who else is a google addict, hey you can join me and be a cyberchondriac if you want.....by the way I try really hard not to google any more my hubby has banned it off the computer and the iPad.....sometimes I use other search engines to look up symptoms, but seriously if we want to get better we must stop the googling.......have a great day everyone.....your friend from Australia Shannon.xx

Hello, my name is Scaredy Cat and I'm a symptom searcher..."Hello Scaredy Cat!"....

Actually, through recovery, I have been relieved of many of my health anxiety bad habits, google search being on of them. I have an occasional slip (just one, and I can stop anytime I want to! lol) but in general, I stay AWAY.

It is tempting, because we think that it's going to give us answers and reduce our worry, but it never works that way:(

Focusing our efforts on our coping mechanisms such as exercise, hobbies, breathing and relaxation/meditation, ect., is a much better use of time!

Good luck to everyone who is struggling with this temptation...fight and resist!;)

S.C.

And I hope I haven't offended anyone with this post I just have to laugh at myself or I would just sit and cry all day....hugs to everyone suffering health anxiety it's the pits...your friend shannon

I have to stay away from google as much as possible. Google is my worst enemy. If I get one little inclination of a symptom of some sort, whether it be a sneeze/heartburn/stomach ache. I would immediately put my symptoms in the search box and the first thing I see is the worst thing possible....cancer/tumor/death. Which causes me more symptoms causing me more anxiety/stress. Almost to the point of passing out because I can't breathe because I've scared myself so much. It got so bad that I was constantly asking everyone if they thought I was dying. The anxiety/stress/depression funk I'm in I can't "google" normally anymore. I stay mostly to facebook and youtube I rarely ever venture out anymore. I'm really tired of this feeling....but heck when I don't google I'm still constantly worrying....but at least I'm trying to cut back my obsession in some way.

Shanny, have a GREAT session, and let us know how it went okay?

(but first you may want to take a nice nap. Therapy, even when it goes well, can be draining...and that's okay, just be prepared)

Hoping that you connect with your therapist really well!

S.C.

Thanks scaredy cat, I will post and let everyone know how I get on ok..I'm sooo excited about it I probably won't sleep..sound like a kid at Xmas don't I.

And living well, I'm looking forward to google rehab...and yes this is the only place I come for my fix now...I love everyone on here you are all like my sisters and brothers...now I'm getting soppy......but it's true i dont know people on here but I can tell them things I would never dare tell my family and no one judges me or says wow what a nut...at least not too me..lol

Hugs and best wishes to you both....your friend Shannon xx

Hi geek, You are definitely not alone with the google addiction, and you are not crazy if you are so am I and heaps of others on here. I'm sorry you can't afford to get some help, I don't really understand the medical system in America.

In Australia we have the public health system and if you need to see someone you just go and they see you for nothing....we also have private health system and you have to pay for that....anyway your not dying, your depressed and anxious just like me and heaps of others.. And if you feel like you need reassurance come on here and we will all help support you through the bad times ok...

And I'm proud of you for staying away from Dr Google, he's not our friend, He is the enemy..ok I'm off now I will post any good tips from my therapist. I have my first session tommorrow morning..take care of yourself try some relaxation techniques you can find some good ones on mood gym or e couch online they are free....that's the only thing you are allowed to look up relaxation and of course talking to all of us....talk soon your friend shannon

having a "dr google" breakdown someone stop me before I submit..... :(

Hi and welcome I/E!

I am sorry that you are having symptoms due to anxiety, but try to remember that's all they are...it is amazing the things that anxiety can make us feel and think!

I am glad to hear that you are going in for a physical...it's always a good idea.  Two years between visits at your age is no big deal at all...you are going to check out fine, I'm sure.

If your anxiety is disrupting your life to the point of not being able to do the things that you want and need to do...then bring it up with your doc. You may want to get a therapy referral while you're there. It has helped many of us here. You may also want to discuss medication, but that is up to you and to what degree you are feeling anxious.

If it is something that you feel you want to treat alone, check out our Resource Guide for links to self-help sites, and keep posting with us...just talking with others who understand is a great form of therapy.:)

Take care, post a new thread to introduce yourself if you like, and take care.

Scaredy Cat

Dr Google and I have a love-hate relationship.

Hello.....My name is Fox and I am a recovering Google addict! I have to admit that I gave in to Dr. Google on Friday, and it made me freak out! Went to bed and woke up at 6 AM with a panic attack, and felt very strange all day Saturday!

Most of you know that I have been battling asthmatic bronchitis, and am almost completely over it now, but I was feeling little twinges of pain and tightness in my chest, probably from coughing 24/7 for over 2 weeks, and guess what!......all of the sudden i'm on the computer visiting Free MD and it told me I had symptoms of a heart attack to seek medical care immediately!!! I completely "bugged out" and couldn't stop thinking about it all day Friday, and even thought some about it yesterday!
But today with the same thing, only it's getting better, I realized that if I was having a heart attack, i'd be dead by now. LOL! I even felt good enough to visit the local K-mart for over an hour trying to find curtains for my living room. I ended up spending quite a bit more then I wanted to, but they had sales on EVERYTHING! And I had to buy another purse (of course!) because they're 50% off right now, and I only have about 25 of em in my closet. Hehe! Oh, and they had the pajama sets on sale 50-60% off, so I bought a few of those too. LOL! Just had to get that out. Whew! I feel better now. Shopping was my therapy today!

Anyway......DR. GOOGLE IS EVIL!!!

Okay everyone...lt's make a solemn Healing Well A/P forum oath for 2012...no symptom searching!!!

This includes Google, Bing, WebMD, ect...

Now hold your right hand over your heart (no crossed fingers) and swear to stay away from this pointless and terrifying activity forevermore!

Okay, let's see how long this lasts...but give it your best effort!

S.C.

Way to go AA!!! :) :) :) :)