Health Anxiety is ruling my life

[HorrieH]

Hi,

I know that's a melodramatic title, but I feel like I'm the worst I've ever been. I've struggled with health anxiety for a few years now, but I've always managed to get it under control in the past. Lately, though, over the last 6 months or so, it's taken a powerful hold over my daily thoughts.

In the past it's been tied to cancer, but lately it's been DVT and (right now, this second) heart attack. I'm a male in my early 20s, and for the past week and a half I've had chest and abdominal discomfort. It's not gotten any worse or better. My GP says its reflux, my step mother (who is a nurse) assures me it isnt heart related, and yet I cannot get the thought that its imminently deadly out of my head. The ER is incredibly tempting..

I'm yet to see a therapist about this issue, but I suspect its time... does anybody have any coping tips for the meantime?

[blondguy]

Hello HorrieH

Welcome and good on you for taking the time to write your thread topic too!

There is nothing melodramatic about your post at all Horrie. This is a common situation for many people. I used to have chronic anxiety for a long time and I understand you as these awful symptoms can be scary to have.

You are so fortunate that your (step) mother is a Nurse! Your GP is spot on about reflux....as it does feel really awful Horrie. I started getting acid reflux in my 20's (when I was under stress) and scared the hell out of me too

There is no such thing as a dumb question on the forums Horrie. Any questions are welcome!

you are not alone where health anxiety is concerned

please be gentle with yourself....we are here for you 🙂

Paul

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi HorrieH,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for being here.

It sounds like you've been having a lot of struggles with health anxiety - and your title is not melodramatic at all! Health anxiety can and does rule people's lives. As someone with an anxiety disorder I've seen and felt that myself.

Hmm coping tips -

I think the biggest thing that's helpful is to get onboard with the idea that what you're feeling might not be cancer, DVT or a heart attack. What you're feeling might align with all of these conditions so it's natural that you want to get that diagnosis and feel afraid for your health. But at the same time it becomes a little bit of a cycle, because if it's not this, maybe it's the wrong doctor or maybe it's this - or maybe your GP and your stepmother is both wrong and you haven't seen the right person yet.. it's both exhausting and defeating battling health anxiety.

Another thing that could be helpful is learning more about anxiety and how it affects the body. The more we understand what's happening, the less we become afraid of the unknown - which is the battle in itself. I made a post about this here explaining our fight/flight response - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/what-happens-when-we-get-anxiety--(info-thread)

and finally, if you like you could keep a diary. You may find that your symptoms have a certain pattern to it or a trigger depending on what you might be doing or feeling. Your therapist could definitely help you with this, or if you bring it to them, it could give them a better understanding of what you're facing and how these health concerns affect you day-to-day.

Hope this helps,