topic Health anxiety running my life in Anxiety

Health anxiety running my life

Bell87 — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 22:27:22 GMT

Hi all, I haven’t posted in a long time but I’m really struggling with my health anxiety. So I recently got my jab and because I read up on the side effects eg myocarditis

I’m completely freaking out that I’m going to get it. I got the needle yesterday and was anxious then I started thinking I have it as my chest felt funny. I went to sleep fine and thought if I do have it, it would stay and I would feel it all the time. I did read the stats and it is rare. Why do I do this to myself? I currently don’t see anyone or take any medication. I don’t like seeking help as I feel stupid when I go because I can’t control my emotions and just cry all the time. I just can’t bring myself to go and get the help I know I need.

Health anxiety running my life

Sophie_M — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 00:39:29 GMT

Hi Bell87,

We are sorry to hear that you are having feelings of anxiety since being vaccinated. Health anxiety is a common but challenging set of symptoms to manage but we are so glad that you have come here for help. What you are feeling is unique to you, but there are many others having similiar experiences. We reccomend checking out this article for more information. It goes in to detail about where we can get information abot the vaccine and what we can do if we are feeling anxious.

If you want to talk about health anxiety in a more general way you can also join this conversation on the forums to see what others had said and felt about this topic.

Thank you for reaching out today, we hope there is something helpful for you in the resources above. Please feel free to check back in and update us on how you are feelin, if you are comfortable.

Kind regards,
Sophie M

Health anxiety running my life

Positive_vibes89 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 02:30:18 GMT

I am sorry to hear that the vaccination is giving you anxiety. I recently had my second jab. The first one gave me some anxiety too because of all the properganda social media I had read on facebook and all the side effects too. Health professionals tell us about side effects as a standard precaution, like all medicines they all come with side effects. Thus it does not mean we are going to experience them. I have only experienced a sore arm after both vaccinations. Are you a hypochondriac? Having anxiety around your health is not stupid or silly. Hypocondriac is a real diagnosis. I suggest having a talk with your doctor, it will help you feel better within yourself. A doctor is there to help you, they are not there to judge. I have a close friend who experiences the same like you around health and medical. He would google his symptoms and make his anxiety worse. He went to see a doctor and now he is on some medication to help. He is alot happier now.

Health anxiety running my life

Stui — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 03:36:15 GMT

good advice Positive_vibes89 I had 2 AstraZeneca injections I was a little unwell after the first but no more than I am with the flu vaccine. Living in Victoria is not the best at the moment but getting vaccinated means we get lose some restrictions. the best advice will come from professional in the medical industry not the media it is always a good thing to be cautions with all medications but they all have side effects and I got the vaccine because on balance the side effects were less worrying than getting covid or the potential ongoing effects. Hopefully that helps with your decision Bell87.

Health anxiety running my life

Pumpkinella — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 03:40:50 GMT

Hi Bell87!

I can really relate to what you are saying. I had the same problem of health anxiety after the jab and thought I had myocarditis. I actually went to the emergency centre in frankston because I was so worried, it turned out my shortness of breath and chest twinges were just part of my anxiety! It is a horrible feeling I know and Im sorry you have to deal with it.

I do see a psychologst and a gp who helps me, and I can tell you, I cry pretty much every time I see them! haha I just cant control it. Its good though to cry in front of them, its okay to be vulnerable, to let your emotions out. We are all human and we all have fears and things that make us cry. They see it all the time. Some people are so scared of needles they cry, GPs would see that too - and they understand all about it.

If you do decide to see someone about it, you can call the clinic and ask for the mental health practitioner - some GPs are specialised in mental health and they can give you specific guidance. They have learned all about what you are going through so they do not judge, they understand how distressing it can be.

You dont do this to yourself, you dont mean to do it and Im sure if you could wave a magic wand you would make it all go away. Is there anything that helps you unwind that seems to work for you when you feel like this?

I find exercise really helps me, or listening to some relaxing music while I do the things I need to in the house?

Love

Pumps

Health anxiety running my life

Petal22 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 05:07:07 GMT

Hi Bell87,

Wellcome to out forums!

Sorry you are feeling this way…

I understand health anxiety is difficult…..

I have experience with dealing with health anxiety personally…… I’d find something on my body and I’d think there was something really wrong with me, I’d obsess over it to the extreme I’d go and get it checked by the doctor the doctor would tell me I was ok but I’d still worry about and have severe anxiety over it…. I’d google symptoms…. This would only make everything worse………

It came to a point in my life that my anxiety became severe I couldn’t function properly I seeked help from my gp my gp told me I had anxiety, my gp put me on a antidepressant to help me to manage my anxiety….we also did a mental health together I saw a clinical psychologist and a psychiatrist my psychiatrist diagnosed me with OCD……. I then did a 8 week therapy at a clinic that specialised in OCD this is we’re I learned to master my OCD…

I strongly encourage you to seek professional help from your gp for what you are experiencing… you could do a mental health plan together…… this will enable you to see a psychologist….when I first saw my gp I was a mess, I cried too and I thought the professionals would think I was crazy…… but it was the opposite they wanted to help me and they understood……… your gp will understand, please seek the help you need to recover……..

Im now recovered and have been for 4 years going strong….

The therapy I did was meta cognitive therapy this therapy changed my life I learned to challenge my thoughts and beliefs as well as many other things during this therapy…

If it helps write down a list and read off the list to doctor….. I used to do this… it helps..

Ive written two threads you may be interested in reading

From someone who had OCD and recovered

Effective treatment for OCD Metacognitive Therapy

here to chat

Health anxiety running my life

Bell87 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 06:05:43 GMT

Thank you all for your replies

i don’t know why I get so embarrassed about being Emotional I do think the doctors judge me and hate people seeing me cry. And I do really need the help but im just really struggling getting to that doctor for the help.
mum just going to have to bring myself to it and go one of these days because I can’t live this way no more.

Health anxiety running my life

Petal22 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:17:45 GMT

You are so much stronger than you think Bell87………. Please make your appointment it will be the start of life changing events 😊 for the better

Health anxiety running my life

jaz28 — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 08:05:42 GMT

Hi Bell87,

I know health anxiety is torture. But as someone with actual health issues, you will know when something is really wrong. I hope that help.

Anxiety can also mask in physical symptoms (tight chest, shortness of breath etc.) and i have definitely experienced that. Taking some deep breaths can help. If you still feel like something else is wrong, you can always visit your GP to ease your mind. If you can talk to them about your anxiety (I know you get emotional) that can help greatly too.

Stay strong and healthy,

Jaz.

Health anxiety running my life

Pumpkinella — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 22:41:57 GMT

Hi Bell87,

I'm sorry that its so hard for you. Try to remember that they see people cry all the time and its a natural part of living. But I do understand its particularly hard for you. How do you go on the phone? Is that something you're more comfortable to begin with? You can always book a phone appointment instead if that would make it easier for you while you get to know your GP.

Love Pumps

Health anxiety running my life

Bell87 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 06:59:54 GMT

I tried to get a phone appointment yesterday but they couldn’t do it.
I was feeling positive that I made that step. But now I’m back to feeling stuck 😭

Health anxiety running my life

Petal22 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:17:32 GMT

Hi Bell87,

Well done for taking that step…….

I understand the feeling of feeling stuck………. Can I ask you to do one thing? “ Believe in your self”

One other thing that I wanted to mention what makes you feel stuck?

I believe it’s FEAR…… but believe me when I say you CAN push past that fear with the inner belief that you have within yourself for yourself….on the other side of fear is everything you’ve ever wanted……… and I believe you can be on the other side……..

Make your appointment and walk into that doctors office with the belief within yourself that you are capable of crossing over to the other side of fear………. It’s there waiting for you…… go and get it….. change your life 💪🦋

What lies behind us and what lies in front of us is nothing compared to what lies WITHIN US ❤️

Health anxiety running my life

isabelle21 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:20:03 GMT

Hey all, I would love a response from someone but I have been experiencing so many physical symptoms which lead me to think worst case. I am convinced I have MS due to on and off leg weakness/stiff feeling (and then it gets worse and I can feel it more when I go for walks or to the shops or other public places) and it's literally debilitating... I think about it all the time. I went to the doctor earlier this year and they looked at me like I was crazy...
I don't really have any other symptoms (maybe facial tension where different parts of my face feel tight or scrunched up from time to time) that are as bad as that but I really want to get a second opinion but scared to get further tests too.... it's just like an ongoing circle of anxiety.
Ughh, feeling really depressed about it and wonder if others relate.. 😞

Health anxiety running my life

Petal22 — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 13:07:40 GMT

Hi isabelle21,

Sorry you are feeling this way…….

I understand it’s hard to have anxiety over our health….

Id have a lot of intrusive thoughts about my health I’d always jump to worse case scenario, I’d google symptoms I would convince myself I had something seriously wrong with me……. I’d go to the doctor and I’d be told that I was ok but I’d still obsess over it…………it came to a point in my life that this type of worrying became severe……… I was diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder by a psychiatrist….. I was stuck in a vicious cycle…….I’m now recovered thanks to the help I received from professionals……..

If you feel your symptoms need checking by a doctor please have them checked……

Im sorry you feel depressed….

Maybe even have a chat to your doctor about the way you are feeling with your anxiety and depression…… you could do a mental health plan together this will enable you to see a psychologist……

Ive written two threads

From someone who had OCD and recovered

and

Effective treatment for OCD Metacognitive Therapy

Also if you wish you are welcome to start your own thread and our community can support you 😊

Im here to chat ask me any thing

Health anxiety running my life

Pumpkinella — Wed, 15 Sep 2021 01:36:22 GMT

Hi Bell87,

I'm sorry to hear that I understand why you would feel disappointed. But as petal said good on you for making the call, because that is a win! and its important that we celebrate the little steps we take.

I'm wondering whether seeing the doctors face may help. I know HotDoc is an app that allows you to book appointments online at a nearby clinic. When you do this you can actually choose the doctor you want an appointment with based on their face and a little description of their likes, interests, background. Maybe seeing their face and reading about them might help in feeling a little more comfortable?

Using this app you can book in a face to face consultation. I know this is a very scary thought but at this stage you are just booking the appointment. Doesn't mean you are definitely going.

Then on the day of the appointment you can just drive to the centre, doesn't mean you have to go in.

And you take it one step at a time like that. You might find that when it comes to going in, you have seen the doctors face, you know a little about them, and it might feel a little less scary.

You always have the option of leaving, you are not trapped there, but if you take it step by step you might find that on your first, second, or third attempt you walk in to see the doctor. And then you've done it!

Its just about taking little steps. Take it slow, and for each step you get closer to seeing the doctor - reward yourself 🙂 and even if you fail and go back a step - reward yourself for trying again.

I had to do this many times with my phobias, just taking small steps until eventually I felt strong enough to do the whole thing.

How does that sound to you?

Love Pumps

Health anxiety running my life

Petal22 — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 07:43:28 GMT

Hi Bell87,

Just checking in with you….. how are you?

Here to chat

Health anxiety running my life

Positive_vibes89 — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 04:53:02 GMT

Dear Bell87,

You have done very well in attempting to book a consultation with your GP. What are you current strengths in this situation and how can you use them in reaching out to your GP? What are your barriers and how can you overcome them? Is there a really close friend or support that can be with you for a telehealth appointment? A doctor comes into contact with so many different people and with different situations. What you are experiencing is nothing new to them, except your story behind it will be different. To trust in somone to share your deepest concerns is huge, but please know a doctor must abide by privacy an confidentiality laws unless they belive you are at risk of harming yourself or others. So please be assured that you are safe and the doctor is there to help you regain back your quality of life. I wish for you to be comfortable and feel safe. Vaccines go through a testing phase and 3 clinical trials before they are deemed safe for the community. This vaccine passed all the clinical trials and is still constantly being monitored. Like all vaccines availablethat you may have had in the past. Having your vaccination is a great thing for you, it reduces your risk of getting to the point of being so sick you need to be admitted into icu and you have taken the steps in ensuring your friends and family dont get sick too. You have done a really positive thing for youself and your community.

I hope you are able to find a solution to help you with speaking to your gp. You deserve to a feel safe in relation to yout physical and mental health.

Tee

Health anxiety running my life

isabelle21 — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:51:04 GMT

Hi thanks so much... it just drains me so much. I have an appointment with a neurologist in about a month. Feeling really nervous as to what the answer will be. The leg weakness/stiffness just feels so so odd...

Health anxiety running my life

Petal22 — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:05:15 GMT

Hi isabelle21,

I understand it’s difficult just try to stay positive.

I hope you are ok…..

Have you tried meditation? It’s helpful for relaxation…

Health anxiety running my life

Bell87 — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 23:00:25 GMT

Thank you for checking in. I finally made an appointment with a doctor and she was fantastic with me. I cried and she comforted me. I’ve never had that from a doctor. I got blood work done. Everything is fine apart from abit of high cholesterol I honestly think it was just panic over the vaccine. Which I have my second dose tomorrow. I’m trying not to think about it too much.. thanks for checking in