topic Health anxiety stress in Anxiety

Health anxiety stress

Ellie_Dee — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 07:50:08 GMT

Hi,

I’ve struggled on and off with health anxiety for years and, once I identified it as health anxiety (after having numerous tests for every medical issue I could think of) have been able to manage it quite well.

I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant and idk maybe the hormonal changes are making it flare up again but I’ve been struggling a lot more the last few weeks. It’s culminated in the last two days - I had breakfast at a restaurant yesterday which included foraged mushrooms, and I’ve convinced myself that they picked a death cap and it was in my breakfast, and that I’ve already got liver damage and I’ll die and there’s nothing I can do about it.
It was a reputable restaurant that I’ve eaten at many times before with no issues, and the risk is super super low, but I can’t turn my brain off.
I know I shouldn’t google - but I did, and it says symptoms appear within 6-24 hours or later and involve nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea/abdominal pains, and I’ve been having nausea and abdo pain but it’s mild and if I’m honest it’s probably caused by the anxiety!!!

has anyone else ever convinced themselves of something like this? What techniques did you use to turn the negative thoughts off? Logically I know the risk is minimal but I’m terrified!!

Health anxiety stress

Katyonthehamsterwheel — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 12:10:11 GMT

Hi there

I used to have health anxiety so I understand how worrying and all-consuming it can be. I don’t have it any more though. The way I dealt with it was by deciding I wasn’t going to indulge my thoughts. It sounds simplistic and I’m sorry if that’s unhelpful, but I just decided nope, I’m going to concentrate on something else. It worked.

That being said, when I was pregnant, I did have it mildly again. Maybe it’s our motherly instinct and we are concerned about harming bub? Congrats by the way 🙂

So, what did you/do you do that’s helpful in managing your health anxiety related thoughts?

Katy

Health anxiety stress

LJpd81 — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 05:07:32 GMT

Yes me. I definitely have health anxiety. I google symptoms and I am convinced I have this. My doctor has sent me for many tests lately and I freak out and google everything. Every symptom, feeling etc.

The only thing that helps me is being told by my doctor that I am fine.

I have no advice. Just offering hugs.

Health anxiety stress

Guest9337 — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 05:40:29 GMT

G'day Ellie.Dee,

ruok?

kind regards,

david.