anxiety/being a complete hypochondriac

[abbyrlogan]

hey guys,

it’s so nice to feel like a new member, i only just discovered that you are able to do this and post forums! nice to meet you all and to share my experiences and story. so i have been diagnosed with anxiety but always been aware of having it. it’s never been this bad. i am also a massive hypochondriac that will worry about anything that i feel or think of etc. i am always thinking of heart related things especially when i am experiencing the physical symptoms of my anxiety i will always turn to either am i going to have a heart attack or even die!! it’s insane and utterly awful. i normally feel like this for days and sometimes weeks and can’t seem to convince myself that i am ok and that nothing is wrong not matter how many times people and my loved ones have told me i’m alright and nothings going to happen part of me always thinks or convinces myself that something is wrong. some of the other symptoms i experience from time to time are feeling completely fatigued, drowsy, sick to the stomach, pain in the stomach, loss of appetitive, chest pain to name a few. can someone reply with some advice and or guidance it would be much appreciated and could help me😣✌🏼

[Mark Z.]

Hi abbyrlogan,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing your story. I’m sorry to hear that you’re experiencing anxiety and hypochondria. You are not alone, many of us here have similar challenge.

From what you described, I think it's time to seek professional help. It’s great that you have loved ones who support you and reassure you that you’re okay, it's really important, but it seems it's not enough for you. Especially if your anxiety and hypochondria are affecting your daily life and causing distress. They can help you develop coping strategies and provide treatment options such as psychotherapy or medication.

Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, stomach pain, chest pain, and loss of appetite. But these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions. I think this feeling of uncertainty is part of the root cause of the anxiety.

Starting from seeing your GP will be a good idea, they will suggest if further health check is necessary, and refer resources such as a psychologist.

Hope everything will be better.

Mark

[Fern42]

Hi Abbyrlogan,

Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing this with us, I hope you find this a safe place.

Do you have a good GP that you feel comfortable with? There is definitely help out there available that would assist you with managing the symptoms that you are experiencing and the thoughts you are having. This is definitely something you could bring up with your GP if you felt comfortable. You can gain access to a mental health care plan that provides subsidised treatments with a psychologist.

Do you do already engage with some regulation strategies when you are feeling anxious ect? If not, there are many strategies out there that can help bring you back to a calming state. including box breathing.

Take care,

[jaz28]

Hi there,

I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis, that must be a lot to process. It seems like it might be health-related - have you talked about this with the doctor or psychologist that diagnosed you? 

My advice would be to go back to whoever diagnosed you and seek further help. Did they give you any treatment? Meds? Referral to therapy? This is what you need to ask them, and if they don't know, get them t refer you to a psychologist or a doctor that can help. 

It is hard having anxiety, I have it too, but therapy is what really helped me 🙂

Jaz xx

[David35]

Indigestion and loss of appetite are common symptoms of anxiety. I had an extended episode whereby a formerly friendly neighbour would suddenly turn his back on me and walk off every time I came out the front door. Him and his wife were trying to ostracise me for reasons that I won't go into. The anxiety it was causing gave me chronic indigestion for months. Once the silly mind games ceased, my indigestion problems subsided. It sounds far fetched, but there is a link between anxiety and digestive system.