Health anxiety about MND and physical symptoms

[Andromalius]

Hi all,

This is my first post on the forums. I'm currently a high school student and for the past 2 weeks I've been dealing with what I think is health anxiety.

It started with tendonitis in my hand and lower leg from table tennis a month ago, then I made the mistake of googling feelings of weakness in limbs and MND came up.

Since then I've been absolutely wrecked, I can't stay focused or get any sleep and everything seems to be exaggerated by my mind. I can't tell what is a real injury and what my mind is making up. Some things include minor twitching on legs and arms, feelings of weakness and in certain muscles which comes and goes and a slight soreness in tendons. Note that all of which started after my spiral into this hole. I saw a physiotherapist and they confirmed it was tendonitis but my brain is still tormenting me with what ifs.

I can't sleep or do much of anything, and all the people around me have said it's just stress. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing? I'm on the verge of having a breakdown and it doesn't help that it's crunch time at exams.

[HappyHelper88]

Hello Thanks for your post and welcome,

lots of people make the mistake of googling symptoms which can definitely cause health anxiety, I have also done this before, after doing that I went to see my doctor as soon as I could get in so I could know for sure.

Thats good that you have been diagnosed and you know what it is now but I understand how you are feeling.
I think this could definitely be associated with exam stress or maybe your mind is trying to focus on something other than exams?

I definitely think you should speak to someone about this and get it off your chest which could help you feel better
You can speak to family or friends or if you like you can speak with us
The Beyond Blue Support Service is available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 1pm-12am AEST on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport 

I hope this helps and Best of Luck with your exams 🙂

[Petal22]

Hi Andromalius,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im so sorry you are feeling this way.

I understand it’s difficult…

I suffered with severe anxiety OCD I also experienced OCD with my health it was a horrible thing to go through….. I’d find something on my body and obsess that something was really wrong with me I’d go to a gp and be told I was fine but I’d still worry with many what if s it was exhausting……. I couldn’t eat or sleep properly……… I also made the mistake of googling ……. I later learned that this was a compulsion of mine I no longer do this so please try to stop googling……. I was caught in a vicious OCD cycle….. Ive now broken free of it and you can to if that’s what you have.

Ive now recovered from this condition thanks to the professional help I received.

Im not a doctor so I can’t diagnose but I highly recommend you go and see your gp and explain what your behaviour is and how you are feeling……. please mention OCD…..

If it is OCD it is totally treatable…

I have written two threads you may be interested in reading

From someone who had OCD and recovered

Effective treatment for OCD Metacognitive Therapy

You are not alone

[Petal22]

The thread was

From someone who suffered OCD and recovered

Please ask me any thing

[Andromalius]

Hi petal,

I'm grateful for the reply, my main point of stress is that I'm not sure what symptoms are in my head and what is an actual issue anymore. I find it hard at times to believe that the weakness and twitches are from my head and not something else.

[jaz28]

Hi Andromalius,

I am sorry you are experiencing health anxiety. As someone with two autoimmune diseases, I can relate to this.

My advice would be to get a second opinion if you are really worried - the first thing I believe is to listen to your body, but sometimes your mind can get in the way. A second opinion can help to ease your mind.

A psychologist is obviously another good option.

Let me know if you need to talk,

Jaz.