Health anxiety

[Soukjane]

I am finding it hard to regulate my moods with anxiety triggered every time I perceive a pressure physically from a procedure I had recently.  Even after having my specialist reassure me that all is normal and ok.  I also feel grief at not being able to spend time with my young grandson that lives in Sydney.  I am not sure whether the two issues are resulting in this awful anxiety and loss of interest in my usual activities.  I do exercise and eat a healthy diet.  I feel good after swimming but it only lasts a couple of hours.  Then the whole dreaded feelings return.

I have tried a few psychologists but does not seem to help much.  In fact I become more anxious having to talk to them.  I am feeling like there does not seem much point in anything.  Like I am not useful.

Sad Jane

[RobV]

Hi Soukjane I can relate. My anxiety was first triggered by a neck injury 5 years ago and I get triggered every time I get a twinge in the area, even if I know it's not the old injury. I don't know that I have any good advice, but if our brains can do these things to us I have to believe that we can teach our brains not to. Can you talk to your GP about whether medication might be appropriate?

[Leolady23]

Hey Soukjane. Im fairly new here myself and can relate to the health anxiety dilemma. I’ve had anxiety on and off for the better part of my life and I thought I’d been managing pretty well until the last 6 months, I’ve started getting heart palpitations for no apparent reason. I’ve had all the relevant tests which suggest nothing serious, but in the last week the anxiety (and in turn palpitations) have gotten quite overwhelming. I don’t know if any of these suggestions will help as im still navigating anxiety myself, but there are some great anxiety books out there and mindful meditation apps that you can get on your phone. I’ve started journaling and writing down my fears and the facts vs fiction thoughts which I found helped calm me a bit, seeing it on paper helped me realise how unsubstantiated some of my fears were. Hope this helps, even if just a little.

[Soukjane]

Thankyou for your suggestions it really helps to know I am not alone

[Soukjane]

Thankyou for your reply you are right we can train our brain to not react but it does take time I have had episodes previously and time and change of environment helped.  It did take nearly a year though.  Patience I guess and determination.

[Areasontofight]

Always remember, you are never alone. 

[sbella02]

Soukjane,

Thank you for opening up to us here, and we warmly welcome you to our forums.

I too have health anxiety, it doesn't matter how small my symptoms are, I will always worry that they represent something bigger and more sinister. 

May I ask, if you are able to answer it, what specifically do you feel most anxious about? Is it about symptoms you may have and what they mean, or is it about future health problems, or perhaps about the experience itself of visiting a doctor or psychologist? Or is it perhaps anxiety surrounding potential problems following on from your procedure? Getting to the root of what may be causing your anxiety is a good first step in recognising how you may be able to overcome or manage it. There are different potential solutions or coping strategies depending on this factor.

You've mentioned here that swimming tends to help for a few hours, then the good feeling fades away. Exercising releases happy hormones, which would be what is causing your dread to return after you've stopped swimming. You could always take five minutes to have a walk, or even do a few star jumps, something active to get those happy hormones flowing again.

You can always chat with us some more if you'd like, we're here to support you.

Take care, SB

[Soukjane]

Hi

Thankyou for your reply.  I think it's about post procedure that I will not ever feel relief or stop focussing on it.

Cheers

Jane

[sbella02]

Jane,

I had a procedure done a few months ago where I was very anxious before and also for a little while after. Social support was one of my biggest helping factors for the post-procedure anxiety, with the people around me offering me words of comfort and support.

I would also follow exactly what the doctor has told you to do, or not do in some cases. For me, I was told to keep off my feet for a few weeks following my procedure and to keep my leg elevated. Following their recommendations and instructions can ensure you the best chance of recovering as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Hope this can help a little more.

SB