topic Anxiety returns in Anxiety

Anxiety returns

Chicken_little — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 10:39:03 GMT

I’m as used to anxiety as I guess you can get. When I diagnosed I realised that most of my life I’ve had anxiety, even as a child.

My GAD wanes which is a lovely respite, but right now it’s back.

Along with the general 2020 goings on, in August some things in my own life set me off and I haven’t been able to pull myself out.

last time I was unwell like this my anxiety manifested as health anxiety in addition to my “regular” anxiety.

This time I was worried about my skin and was super proud that I went for a mole check (all clear). Now, my focus has turned to my eyes.

Ive finally built up the courage to book a check up with my optometrist tomorrow.
im far sighted and have astigmatism in one eye.

now I’ve convinced myself that tomorrow I’m going to be diagnosed with some horrible eye disease. It’s probably just aging and a bit of eye strain, that’s what my logical brain says, but I can’t get past it.

I feel so silly that I get so worked up, that I fixate on issues like this. Who on earth is scared of the optometrist!

Ive read about others with health anxiety and they seem to have any test possible to find what’s going on, but I’m terrified to find something.

Anxiety returns

Tay100 — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 00:42:58 GMT

Hi Chicken_little

Health anxiety can be tough sometimes! It's good to see you are seeing out professional help for your concerns, let us know how that goes if you like- hopefully, they bring you some assurance and clarity. Do you have any strategies/coping mechanisms/self care activities to help you deal with your "regular anxiety" that may be helpful in helping you address your health anxiety?

Tay100

Anxiety returns

Chicken_little — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 08:59:19 GMT

Hi Tay,

I survived the eye exam, the optometrist was really nice and Did her best to be informative.

I do need to get a new prescription which I looked at as an opportunity to buy some cool new frames.

I’m really glad I went as I think it will be helpful in improving my anxiety.

I went and my worst fears weren’t realised.

Anxiety returns

Tay100 — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 23:39:31 GMT

Hi Chicken_little

That is so good to hear- what kind of frames will you pick? That's the fun part. I'm happy to hear you have learnt a lot from this experience.

Tay100