Health Anxiety

SarahWorrier

New Member

Joined : Jan 2012

Posts : 1

Posted 1/31/2012 6:47 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Everyone-

This is my first post! I am trying to dig myself out of my anxiety that has progressively gotten worse over the years. I've always been a "worst case scenario" person, but starting in college I became obsessed with health worries. I spent a week with heart palpitations (stress related said the doc) and the rest is history. I have imagined ovarian cancer, breast cancer, gallstones, fibro, infertility....the list goes on and on. Once a year something will pop up and I will think that I am dying. The only thing I have ever been actually diagnosed with with certainty is PCOS. I do have those classic symptoms....which is what probably sparks alot of these others. Anyway--- I recently got engaged (a month ago) and since then I have been in a tailspin thinking I am certain to die. I don't want to think about the future...the wedding...babies...nothing. Right now I have breast pain and underarm pain and I am constantly worried it's breast cancer. I am 33. I have been doing breast checks everyday and I don't think I feel anything...but then again....I don't know. I actually hate going to the doctor b/c I'm afraid of the diagnosis. What I feel right now isn't very different than what I normally feel when I think I am dying...though there is a bit of pain (the pain is new).

Clearly I am suffering from anxiety, but not sure what to do. I am terrified of taking something for fear that I will lose my hair from the side affects of the drug. Sigh. I am a complete mess.

Scaredy Cat

Elite Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 28868

Posted 1/31/2012 7:02 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Sarah and welcome!

Well you have come to the right place and are in good company! Many of us can relate to what you are going through right now. I can not tell you how many similar posts I have read here recently.

Many of us here with health anxiety have had great success with CBT therapy. It involves retraining the negative/fearful thinking that causes our anxieties, into more positive/rational thinking. It can help relieve much of the worry and symptoms that you mentioned in your post.

Those of us with health anxiety are often overly aware of every body sensation, and go on 'red-alert' whenever we feel something is off. The fact is, our bodies are always doing things that we may feel as weird/strange/new...we just react more than the average person who may experience the same things.

I would recommend talking to your doctor about a possible referral to a therapist who specializes in health anxiety and CBT. In the meantime, we have a great Resource Guide (main page 3rd post) that has some great links to self-help sites that can really improve symptoms if practiced daily. Check it out and you can get started today.:)

Congratulations on your engagement, and do look into treatment so that you can start to enjoy this exciting part of your life! Post here with us anytime. It is a healing step in itself to talk to others who understand what you are going through.

Nice to have you join us!

Scaredy Cat

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