Health Anxiety? Depression?

[Beyond348]

Hello all I am new here, after being referred by one of the crisis support callers. It has been four years since I lost two immediate families due to heart attacks. Since then I have been to the doctors and emergency department getting reassurance from the doctors, but when I would come home, I would sit here thinking the doctors missed something and that they just write it off as anxiety without doing further investigations. This led to developing panic attacks with fears of leaving the house or I would have a heart attack or stroke and developing agoraphobia for the last 12 months and isolation. I also have a hard time switching my brain off and trying to relax when there are so many dark clouds hanging over my head with the what ifs. 

[Sophie_M]

Hi Beyond348,  
 
Welcome to the forums and thank you for sharing with us how you are feeling right now. Health anxiety is incredibly challenging and frightening at times to manage, and it sounds like you are doing lots of things to help support yourself on your journey to feeling better.  
 
We know you've been to the emergency department and it might be an option to speak to your GP about these symptoms, we think it’s always good to keep your GP updated with health anxiety and physical symptoms. It's understandable after experiencing the loss of family members to have these worries. Please know that the Beyond Blue counsellors are also here for you as well, and you can call us on 1300 22 4636 any time if you feel like talking it through.   We’re sure we’ll hear from our lovely community here soon, but in the meantime here’s some resources and conversations on managing anxiety you might find interesting: 

• Some strategies for managing anxiety  
• This previous thread where community members shared some of their Beyond Blue’s anxiety management strategies 
   

Thanks again for posting here. It must have taken a lot of strength to share this, but you never know who will read this post and feel less alone in their own experience. 
 
Kind regards,  
Sophie M 

[Ranga-1]

It's so scary, but you get through it. I know how you feel. Maybe the trauma has led to this catastrophisation. I'm so sorry for your losses, by the way. You are dealing with grief as well as the anxiety. Maybe you can remind yourself it's the anxiety talking and trying to upset you. Tell it to go away. It won't go away immediately, but if you can distract yourself in the meantime - Netflix, craft, a walk aroudn the block - try it. 

Keep us informed of your progress. 

[Beyond348]

Hello Sophie M,

Thank you for your kind words. I have spoken to a few of the Beyond Blue Counsellors in the past until my recent breakdown a couple of days ago when the counselor recommended me to try the forum so I do not feel so isolated thank you for replying to my post.

[Beyond348]

Hello Ranga-1,

Thank you for replying to my post. Yes, I have been doing a little journalling in the past to distract myself and get everything out on paper (or Word document) whilst playing some soothing music, but lately, I have been so caught up in the anxiety that I felt low and all I wanted to do was lay in bed. I just have to train my brain to calm down, take it easy. It's a working progress, but I know i will get there, like you said, it won't happen immediately but I know i can do it.

[Guest_2496]

Hi there

Anxiety is the pits in any form but I feel for you as I also experience health anxiety. And I know that often doctors’ words don’t reassure us. 

You didn’t mention your age, or whether you have high blood pressure  - if not on meds for that I think you can relax about strokes in the meantime…and re heart attack I guess in emergency they’ve done ecgs? If you want more reassurance you could ask the gp for referral to a cardiologist. They do all the tests possible (I’m not saying you need them - for your peace of mind) and you have to believe it then. 

[clare89]

Hello! 
I am so sorry you have been going through all this and I really feel for you. Maybe try and have some compassion for yourself- it is pretty normal to have these anxieties after everything you’ve been through. 
I would do all the usual things - therapy (if it’s accessible to you), exercise, socialising, meditation.

But the big thing with the health anxiety for me has been working on my beliefs - I needed to believe that my body was healthy and strong and resilient - and now that I do believe that the health anxiety is a lot less. I used guided imagery & affirmation recordings by Belleruth Naparstek that essentially retrain your brain into believing that you are healthy and well. Remember that your brain is powerful - if you experience less stress your immune system will be more robust for example. Don’t underestimate the power you hold over your own body just by using your beliefs and your brain

all the best