Health anxiety

[Jane24]

I'm looking for advice on how people cope with anxiety/panic when they get physically sick??

I've had pretty severe anxiety & panic attacks for 11 years now (I'm only 25). Been through the works with psychologists, CBT, meds etc. I got completely on top of my anxiety for a year when I was 21, but then I had a health issue that really triggered it off again.

The health issue has basically resolved, but now whenever I'm unwell I get extremely panicky & need someone with me. I've always had some health anxiety, but now it's so bad that I'm scared to go anywhere alone incase I get sick, including driving. I'm scared to go out alone, exercise, I'm unemployed, friends have left me because I always bail & can't drive to see them, boyfriend of 4 years broke up with me because the stress was making him miserable & he was becoming more like a carer. I live back with my parents & they are sick of my neediness & although try to help are fed up with me & let me know what a disappointment I am which makes me feel more depressed.

I'm working on managing my anxiety when I'm feeling okay with CBT. But I get sick pretty much every week or 2 with bugs/viruses & the doctor has no answers as to why other than chronic stress suppressing my immune system.

Any advice on how to cope when sick, being alone or just generally with health anxiety & getting confidence back would be so appreciated!

[PamelaR]

Hello Jane24

Welcome to Beyond Blue forums. It's good you were able to find your way to these forums. The people are supportive, friendly and information. The BB home webpage also holds a wealth of factual information. When you have time have a browse through the forums and facts.

Can't imagine how you must feel when you're anxious and feeling sick. My thoughts go out to you. Not sure how much I can help though. There may be others on the forum who have had similar experiences as yourself and will post something here for you.

In the meantime, what I have found is a booklet on health anxiety published by the Centre for Clinical Interventions (CCI) on their website http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=53. This booklet works you through causes and what practical steps you can take to help yourself.

Have you been back to see your psychologist since you broke up with your boyfriend and returned home?

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Jane24]

Thanks Pamela!

I have done the CCI module which helped with the general worrying about my health, but in reading your response, I think I've realised that the main problem is my fear of being alone & something bad happening to me, with nobody around to help me. When I'm genuinely physically sick that gets really heightened. I know naturally a lot of people don't want to be alone when they're sick, but I full blown panic. My relationships are really affected by it. I was living alone, working, walking to work alone etc. before my health issues & now I'm back at home and anxious even just when my parents leave the house. It's like I'm a needy child!

I've been back once but I cant afford the sessions atm. Thanks so much for replying!!

[james1]

Hello Jane24,

I'm so sorry to hear about how difficult it is for you at the moment to manage your health anxiety. I have a friend who also has some serious health issues and suffers from health anxiety on top of/because of all that. I can certainly see how debilitating it is for her and I imagine it must be for you too.

I don't really have much in the way of advice but I can assure you that you are not alone in being worried that there will be no one around to help if something goes wrong. My friend recently had to go by train for 3 hours and had a panic attack because of similar reasons - there being no help when you're on a train, and having most emergency things back at home.

Have you tried speaking to your parents and trying to find a good way to manage them leaving the house? For example, are there certain things that could help reassure you that things would be okay or that they will be able to help you out? My friend even had to contact the neighbour once because of a health thing and is now more comfortable that there would be at least a neighbour around to help.

James

[Neil_1]

Hi Jane,

Thank you for posting here and I see you’ve had a couple of really lovely responses so far.

Can I just touch on the side of things that you had happened, before your health issues? You mentioned that were living alone, working, and also walking to work. These are some major (huge) achievements that you were able to do, and I’m only assuming here, but you did mention a boyfriend, so I’m guessing that around that time you had your boyfriend also.

Seeing a professional about this seems like a good thing at this time, but as you say, it’s always a 2-sided edge isn’t it … needing to see someone, but to see that “someone”, is very costly. Though, if you can get to your Doctor and get them to give you a referral, this can make the cost of appointments to a psychologist a lot less.

Kind regards

Neil

[Jane24]

Thanks for all of your support Neil, James and Pamela! It's nice to know there are such caring people out there.

I guess I did achieve a lot, I was really happy in myself then & I think the hope of getting back to that is keeping me going. I see a psychiatrist, hence the costs because he is very good but I'll discuss the psychologist with my doc.

Sorry to hear about your friend James, I completely understand but good on her for even getting on the train with anxiety like that, she sounds very strong although she might not believe it herself.

Take care everyone! Thanks again!

[Neil_1]

Hi Jane

That's such an important thing to say ... "that you were happy in yourself then and you also think the hope of getting back to that is keeping you going". Well, you didn't actually say that, I changed your words a wee bit, but you know what I mean. 🙂 Sorry, I'm silly like that sometimes.

Back to this though ... the fact that you've been there before and "done that", is massive. I know sometimes when we go over things in the past, this can have detrimental effects, but I really believe that in this case, this is something you should try to do Jane.

Think back to what you were doing then, how you were feeling? Goodness, it could also be something like even exercise or diet as well? I know it might seem a long way off with how you're feeling at the moment, but I do sense positiveness out of this.

Also wanted to say, that there's always someone here ... so keep posting for as long as you wish.

Kind regards,

Neil

[Jane24]

Thanks Neil!

I do believe that I can get back to that. Thanks for sharing, because I guess if I can pinpoint the differences between then & now I can work to get back to that healthy place. Thanks for that insight!!

[Diddums]

Hello Jane24

I am new to this forum. I do understand how you feel. I would like to suggest that you get hold of “Dr Claire Weekes “books or audio books. I found her advice very helpful. Self Help For Your Nerves is good but I found her audio books even better. If you have an iPad you can get these through your iBooks app. Best of luck. There is hope

[Jane24]

Thanks so much Diddums! I'll have a look into those!