Health anxiety - how to undo what you've googled?

[Jessme]

Hi guys,

so Ive been Google free for about 2 weeks now as Dr told me I was banned.

Unfortunately before I stopped, I hit the mother load of all worrying diseases. Now I can't seem to stop the obsession with it. I googled chromosomal damage to cells, as I felt older than my years and was worried I may have had a degenerative disease. Instead I stumbled upon several conditions that cause cells to rapidly deteriorate in 20's, 30's and 40's and eventually cause you to die before age 50?( usually from cancer or heart disease) .... Does anybody else have this obsession or is it just me?...why do I pick such weird crap to obsess over?... Where is the line between mild curiosity over staying alive and the delusional obsession with health?... Is there any way to undo knowing more than you should? Help!! Arrgghh

[Gruffudd]

Hi there,

Sounds like you have some ideas of where the line might be for you.

Last time I did that was about a month ago. I decided that my appendix had burst or perhaps some kind of cancer in my gallbladder. Then about an hour later... I farted. That was the problem and it had just resolved itself.

My best solution is to go on google adventures for pointless stuff, history, nice things, anything but how I am about to die. Google + anxiety might be counterproductive.

Rob.

[pipsy]

Hi Jessme. There's bit of an old saying: sometimes too much knowledge can be as bad as not enough. If you are really obsessive regarding your health, I think perhaps a talk to a counsellor might help eliminate some of your fears. If you were to return to your Dr and ask for a referral to a counsellor I think you would probably feel better. Dr's can tell you repeatedly 'everything's alright', but if that doesn't quell your fears, talking to a counsellor might give you some guidelines to help overcome this obsession. Googling sickness, dying can often cause more panic than knowing nothing. You've been told there's nothing to worry about, but by googling, you've opened a 'Pandora's box' and what you've read is staying with you. Re-programming your mind can be achieved by learning how to stop stressing. A counsellor would be quite helpful here.

Lynda.

[Neil_1]

Hi there Jessme

You’ve had a couple of great responses from both Rob and Lynda.

Another option would be to pull the plug on the computer and have it off. Though that is probably a tough call, particularly if you need your computer.

Googling the stuff you’ve been doing is, as you’ve found, fraught with all sorts of concerns and danger. And I would think that half of what you read is absolute b.s. anyway. Sticking with the professionals and what they say is the way to go.

Of course as we age, cells get worn out – it’s just the way things are; you buy a new car and as soon as you drive it out of the dealership, the value has gone down and it’s beginning to age. But what do we do with new cars (or hopefully any car); we look after them; we make sure they’re driven right (hopefully) and also that they are regularly serviced (hopefully). By doing this, it will preserve (or lengthen) the life of your car.

The same thing applies to us. We only have one body (that I know of) and so we need to be diligent with what we do for ourselves. To treat ourselves right – feeding and drinking are very important – but with “good” food and drink items. Sure there’s a lot of junk out there, but why fuel ourselves with that, when there’s so many good alternatives and healthy ones at that. Drink loads of water as well; it makes a huge difference and will help flush out the baddies that “may” be in our system.

Exercise is another great thing to do.

Ps: I like the idea of what your Doc has done – the banning of google; but he’s left that up to you – be strong and if you feel the urge, then go eat an apple or go outside for a walk or a run.

Neil

[Jessme]

Thanks for the replies guys . I like to be reminded to stay the hell off google as it is tempting.

[firsttimemum]

Hi Jessme,

I know exactly how you feel. I am on google all day every day diagnosing myself with different diseases. It makes my anxiety a million times worse. The funny thing is that I love it and hate it at the same time, which makes it very hard to stop.

sorry I have no advice for you!

All the best x

[Jessme]

Sometimes it just helps to hear other people's stories and know you aren't the only one doing it.

[pipsy]

Hi Jessme. While reading and knowing others are downloading google for info re: various illnesses. It still can be counter-productive if you tend to 'take on' every illness, symptom you read. If you can read, walk away and not take it on, it's not so destructive. Anyone with any form of depression might read about depression or something else totally unrelated and decide they also have every other illness listed. Sometimes, as I said, too much knowledge can be as destructive as not enough. Be guided by the Dr, he has the medical knowledge and contacts for further examination, should it be necessary.

Lynda