Health Anxiety

[Leewee]

Hi everyone; I am new to this site, even though I've heard about it for years. I guess I've gotten to that point where I need to try everything. I am 21 and have been suffering from health anxiety for at least 5 years. I have been seeing a psychologist for 4 or those years and I do not believe I have made any improvements. If anything it has gotten worse. When I am busy with university I have minor symptoms, however; when I'm on break (like now) I suffer from severe anxiety, which impacts on my social and work life. This constant fear has left me feeling depressed like life is never going to get better.

When I experience somatic symptoms I am able to logically understand how they can be symptoms of a mild disorder (eg. Allergies, anxiety, hunger). However; the stronger part of me tells me that the pain behind my eye, muscle twitches and tiredness is something more serious like multiple sclerosis.

I have made an appointment to see my GP about getting an MRI scan but I know I will not be satisfied with the answer either way.. I will either have the disease, or not trust the doctors judgement.

I am aware that I am suffering from health anxiety and that my worries are illogical.. however I am unable to escape the worries and depression that follows.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated xx

[blondguy]

Hello Leewee

Thankyou for taking the time and having the courage to reach out. I noticed your 1st post on another thread and welcome to the forums

I understand the symptoms you mentioned especially when having a break and the anxiety exacerbating. You are proactive with your health and are looking at all the angles/reasons for the anxiety too. This is often a part of the anxiety too

I have had anxiety for a few years now and my biggest mistake was not treating the actual feelings/symptoms as I was looking everywhere for a 'reason'

Some people that have anxiety still think there must be a direct correlation between a physical issue and the anxiety. After you have the 'all clear' from your GP from any tests you wish to have, treating the anxiety symptoms themselves is the best path to take

The forums are a judgemental free and rock solid place to post where your privacy is concerned.

May I ask you what your psychologist has said about your anxiety? (only if thats okay)

Your GP has had more training about anxiety than mine did when I was in my early 20's. I still see my GP every 4 weeks for a 'fine tune' to keep my thinking on track and not to overthink my symptoms

From my experience the more frequent the counseling the less severe the anxiety symptoms are. I know this is an awful set of symptoms to have Leewee but they can be reduced

Anxiety and our thinking process that 'triggers' the adrenaline is a major pain. Our thinking can be altered with regular counseling to reduce the anxiety symptoms significantly

There is nothing illogical about your thinking at all. Your post and your well being is paramount

I hope you can stick around the forums Leewee. You are not alone here in any shape or form

My kind thoughts

Paul

[Leewee]

Hi, Paul

My psychologist has recommended a higher dose of medication for my anxiety, as they believe that my body's chemistry needs to be tuned before continuing CBT. I have been on an increased dose for a month and my anxiety hasn't gotten better (it actually feels worse).

You mentioned you see your GP once a month? If I may ask, how are you finding that financial wise? A concern of mine is that each appointment I attend is at least $50.. along with this, I feel quite embarrassed that the reception at my doctor's office knows me well as I come in so often.

A totally different topic- have you found it difficult to tell friends and family you suffer from health anxiety, from fear that they will dismiss you as a hypochondriac wanting attention?

Thanks

[Guest6732]

Hi Leewee,

Sorry to hear that you have been suffering with health anxiety for so long, it really can be hard to work around and figure out the right solution.

Now what you have described has had happen to me before when I was having small bouts of anxiety. I was worried about how people would see me and put a lot of pressure on myself unknowingly, I would have background thoughts on what my anxiety could be like a bad doctor google. After I had a big breakdown, I needed medication and counselling quite consistently, like 2-3 times a week I would be at my psych for health anxiety or other things.

I am be wrong in giving some ideas here but hopefully you find some help with them. What I would recommend while having a break from something keeping you preoccupied is to find time to do something small but enjoyable, for me it is going outside with a cup of tea and sitting in the grass soaking in the feeling of the breeze for however long (basically something to lighthearted and friendly but will take your focus away). It just helps to get a reprieve from the anxiety as such!

Next idea I had was about communication, I was a 'to myself' person going through my teenage years but i realized once I had my big breakdown I felt better about myself and my anxiety, so I talked to the people I could trust and kept a recall diary going which I do still to this day. Having a solid outlet where you can express your true feelings and convey them with validation from another is very much needed, trying to sort all of them out yourself is what led to me breaking down.

Everyone has the same journey, yet each is on different terrain and footing. Just take what you can from the forums and these posts use them however you feel comfortable! Just know that you aren't alone in this journey and feel free to keeping asking questions 🙂

[Leewee]

Thanks for your reply!

I try to find hobbies to keep myself busy with. I have taken up drawing again which has helped! I know I'm not alone when it comes to feeling anxious about my health- but with all the stigma attached to it, it really does feel lonely!

I have tried writing a diary but I get easily distracted and bored.. I think I got about three months of thoughts documented in the whole of 2017.

Does anyone else have bad dreams which are to do with health? My father has recently had some health issues and my dreams often replay the situations he faced.

-Leewee

[blondguy]

Hi Leewee

I placed a claim for charity a few years ago as I was made 'redundant' with my depression. My GP received the claim and he has had me on bulk billing since 5 years ago when that happened.

I used to be embarrassed big time when I kept going back into my clinic too. After a while I just didnt care as there are so many people with a physical issue that also needs super frequent treatment too.

My apologies for the delay in getting back to you Leewee. Thankyou heaps for having the courtesy to answer everyone's post. Its a rare treat 🙂

Looking forward to hearing from you again Leewee

My Kind thoughts

Paul

[Leewee]

All good- I know how busy life can be!

That's terrible that you were made redundant for mental health issues. I didn't know that was allowed.

I am getting an MRI Monday and can't wait as hopefully will disprove my suspicions! I am definitely nervous though! I have been experiencing symptoms more frequently and am hoping that this is only due to elevated levels of anxiety! Hopefully after getting the MRI results (fingers crossed a negative diagnosis for MS) I can be productive at work and actually want to socialise with friends! Can anxiety cause depressive episodes?

[td19]

Hi All,

I’ve previously posted on this topic on the severe anxiety thread and things had been going well on this front for me but had been battling a touch lately and came in here to re-Read a few threads as I find it always helps to read others thoughts and experiences. This thread in particular just struck a chord and sounded so familiar

I suffer from the health anxiety thoughts where any niggle or change I easily detect and make it in my mind worse than it is. I haven’t been diagnosed with anything or seen a dr as I know it’s just thoughts which I can generally control over time. It’s when I have time to myself or am isolated I can’t but help self diagnose myself with something/anything and let it occupy my thoughts. I work remotely and have a boss in another state and have limited interaction with people in a work sense and can work from home mostly which is great but it gives me too much time alone to get distracted by health thoughts. I have good and bad patches but my job is high stress and I’ve always carried stress in my stomach, which googling symtoms of stomach issues is just not a great idea, although I know my stomach may be ‘off’ here and there I’m certainly not sick physically and I undertake all my normal tasks and exercise regularly, sleep normally etc which If I was ill I wouldn’t be able too.

I am trying to come up with strategies to cope... I don’t really like writing stuff down as I’ll never keep it up but have thought of doing a diary/journal in my head each night as I lay in bed going to sleep. I try to have positive self talk and breath deeply but then my stomach feels a certain way and my mind wanders as to what catastrophic health issue I have.

its really day by day, hour by hour at this stage so coming here to read and see other people’s experiences and guidance is quiet comforting. As is writing down for people to read, I find writing for others is more helpful than writing for myself.