Health Anxiety - How Do You Manage?

[HisOwn]

Hello I am 59 years of age - I have had awful health anxiety for 22 years after a series of past medical traumas. Initially I was always going to doctor looking for reassurance whenever I had any symptom but found this just added to my anxiety so now I am a total avoider of doctors or medical tests now - will only go in case of emergency now, if at all because I just find the medical environment so triggering and traumatic. My last visit I had to take a valium just to get through the appointment.

So just wondering if anybody else has similar anxiety and wondering what strategies you use to cope or manage?

[phoenix.stirlingite]

Dealing with health anxiety is tough, I've seen it firsthand with a close friend. After some rough health scares, they started to feel really anxious about medical stuff. What helped them a lot was talking about it with others who understood. They joined a support group and it made a big difference, just having people to share their fears with.

[*Marie*]

A friend of mine went through something similar after a bad hospital experience. What really helped her was practicing deep breathing and mindfulness. Whenever she felt anxious, she'd take a few minutes to just breathe deeply and focus on the present moment. It sounds basic, but it made a big difference for her.

[*Marie*]

I totally get how overwhelming health anxiety can be. My uncle struggled with something similar after a scary health scare. He used to get really nervous before any medical appointment. What worked for him was starting his day with some gentle yoga and meditation. It sounds a bit basic, but it actually helped him stay calm.

He also found talking to a counselor helpful. She specialized in dealing with anxiety, and just having someone professional to talk to made a big difference. And if you're considering getting some extra support, it's a really good idea to seek specialized help for anxiety. It's a big step towards managing those feelings better and feeling more at ease. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone in this and getting the right help can make all the difference.