Health Anxiety

[Jarred28]

For a few years now i've come to have pretty bad health anxiety. Sitting here now hands trembling having chest pains and quite dizzy. I'm a hypochondriac so every little inner body feeling I have I over exaggerate it to be the worst possible outcome, this mainly being chest pain and when I become really dizzy that also freaks me out alot. I was just wondering what the best approach to treating this would be. I'm already diagnosed with major depression and GAD and am currently on medication. Not sure whether to seek out a good psychologist. Any tips or feedback would be appreciated.

[AverageAusGuy]

Hi Jared28,

I am sorry to hear that you struggle with health anxiety. What specifically are you worried about in regards to your health?

I have had some health anxiety in the past myself. I sometimes worry that I have an undiagnosed and serious illness even though I know it is irrational. Here are some tips which have helped me and I think might help you:

1)Don't Google symptoms or try to diagnose yourself. This will only make your health anxiety worse. If you have a genuine health concern speak with your doctor. Don't go assurance seeking from your doctor every single week though. Limit your doctor visits for when you have genuine concerns only.

2) Do things to keep your mind busy. I think anxious people like you and me have overly active brains that immediately create worst case scenarios when they are left idle. Stay busy. Read. Write. Build something. Do anything to keep your mind occupied.

3) Exercise. Honestly this has been my biggest anxiety relief. It doesn't have to be much. Just enough to burn off some of that anxious energy and get some feel good chemicals going.

I hope this helps and that you are able to stop worrying so much much about your health.

Lots of people struggle with health related anxiety. Don't let it get the better of you.

Best of luck.

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hi Jarred28

I used to have health anxiety, and it's a beastly little thing, so good on you for seeking some help with it. I think AverageAusGuy has offered some great tips. I'd like to add that you certainly could help seek for it. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with a psychologist would be helpful in examining and challenging your thought patterns. Your gp can refer you to someone, and under a mental health care plan you should be eligible for a number of free sessions. For myself, I made a decision to stop entertaining the health anxiety related thoughts. I decided that focusing and overanalysing things I thought possibly could be something insidious was not helpful for me. Sounds a bit simplistic and may not work like that for everyone, but it seems to have stopped it in its tracks. I don't have health anxiety any more -- though I do still have anxiety in general.

Anyway, best of luck with it. Katy

[Emmen]

Hello Jarred28,

You're receive some great advice from our members. I've also got health anxiety and I agree with everything they've said.

It can be terrifying when your mind convinces you that you've got a terrible illness, I know that thought spiral only too well. I find that giving myself a pep talk also helps. Something like "Am I still functioning well, apart from this little twinge? Yes? Then chances are it's nothing."

Also try some yoga or mindfulness exercises. I find that those help too.

Kindly,
M

[missep123]

Hi Jarred28,

Oh boy oh boy did I ever have health anxiety. I would also find myself spiralling late at night when it would pop into my head and I would go down the rabbit hole of searching online about health things. I noticed this behaviour that I was doing so now I actively try to notice it and change that behaviour. Through time I have gotten better from it but it is definitely a learning experience/learning curve.

You are definitely not alone in how you feel!

[Jarred28]

Its mainly to do with my heart. Get chest pains right where my heart is most days of the week. Ive had it checked before a few times and they said its fine. I dont worry about it as much anymore but im still having the pains and chest tightness frequently.

Thankyou for the tips though I appreciate it.

[AverageAusGuy]

Hi Jarred28,

Heart/ chest pains are a symptom of anxiety. I get these also. It can be frustrating I know but I assure you that your symptoms will ease once you are able to manage your anxiety a bit better. Exercise will really help. Get your heart rate up in the gym and practice some deep breathing etc in between exercises to slow it back down. I did this myself and it helped alot.

[missep123]

Hi Jarred28!

I'm definitely not a medical expert but AverageAusGuy mentioned that heart/chest pains can be a symptom of anxiety. I've also felt this also! For me it also happens when I'm anxious I realised that I wasn't breathing properly and I was taking very shallow breaths. Deep breathing, meditation, exercise they are all great ways to assist! I also like to really make sure that I have a good self-care plan in place so that I can relax.