Can anxiety cause symptoms to become long term?

[Dmo1]

Greetings everyone

After 6 months of pure hell, I’m at my wits end & trying everything possible to find a solution to my current symptoms

I’ve had a chronic cough for 6 months - which I feel has gotten progressively worse since googling “cough hoarse voice” and getting the worst possible suggestions all pointing to “C”

I’ve seen countless amounts of doctors and so far, this is my results:

* chest x Ray twice - both times clear
* camera into my throat - clear
* full blood counts - clear
* kidney ultrasound - clear
* abdomen ultrasound - clear

All doctors have said it’s either post viral & will go on its own after time OR one doctor stated it’s possibly a habit???

From the cough, I’ve also had a sore back in certain spots and sometimes chest pain

I’ve been SUPER ANXIOUS all the time - it’s really consuming me & I don’t seem to get a break

I don’t cough when I sleep ..

Doctors have assured me it’s not lung cancer BUT I still can’t stop obsessing over it

I’m 34, previously super fit & healthy, all my bloods are really good levels

Doctors cannot understand why I have the cough.

Could this be some kind of anxiety symptoms? How can I break a habit? If that’s what it is

Doctor has prescribed me medication but I’m scared to take it 😕

[geoff]

Hello D'mo, I am really sorry that this cough has been persisting, but you've mentioned two words in your comment, ' obsessed and habit', and with anxiety, it's possible that someone might develop OCD (obsessional compulsive disorder), it's something I've had for a long time.

OCD is an anxiety disorder

I would try and approach your doctor on another angle and ask if it's possible it could be this illness and for them to refer you to a psychologist who can help you with this.

If a thought becomes obsessive, that is, keeps recurring with unwanted thoughts or unnecessary continual behaviour, it can influence patterns that can cause difficulties in daily functioning.

Please let me know how you go.

Geoff.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi D'mo,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for being here.

All the time I've lived and learned about anxiety, I am yet to find a symptom that is not connected! I do understand though how naturally worried you are and how threatening it is when you keep finding and thinking it might be cancer.

Here are some of the ways anxiety can cause a cough - https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety/symptoms/anxiety-cough.shtml

TLDR;

- Our bodies immune system doesn't work as well when we're constantly anxious, which can lead to chronic coughs. Even though this link refers specifically to an infection, it's also related to general viruses/bacteria (which might not always show on blood tests if it's minor).

- Our vagus nerve is overstimulated causing a cough

- Shallow breathing can cause our throat to be dry/raw causing a cough.

I'm sharing all of this with you because I know how much anxiety can impact our lives and how difficult it can be to live with health anxiety. But I also know that learning about anxiety and learning (and trusting!) that it's not cancer is so important in being able to recover. The more that you can learn and understand about anxiety - the less threatening it can be and the less impact it (and your coughing!) can have on your life.

I hope this is helpful,