How to Deal with Health Anxiety

[Lev]

Hi everyone,

my health anxiety issues started a couple of months ago. Not sure what triggered it, I’ve always been an anxious person but this is a whole new level. Suddenly, whenever something was slightly off or I felt little things here and there with my body… I’d freak out. Previously, it was never anything too serious so eventually it would blow over. In the moment I’d freak and then be fine. But I went to the doctor recently as I’ve been experiencing stomach issues and the doctor said it could be something more… I’ve been absolutely freaked since!!! This is the worse case so far, I feel like it’s actively causing my stomach issues to worsen and I’m so scared I’m going to destroy my body from the nerves. I am so scared, I don’t want this to affect my work! I also don’t want to seek help from family as they are the cause of my anxiety issues. I’m all alone and I’m so scared… I wish I had someone to tell me it’s going to be okay. I wish I could manage these emotions better! Any advice and help would be appreciated… this health anxiety has got me so exhausted and scared. 

[Croix]

Dear Lev~

Welcome here to the Forum.

You are doing the right thing in going to the doctor to get your stomach troubles properly examined. If it is something physical it can be treated early, which is best. If it is a product of anxiety something can probably be done about that too.

I have stomach pains and diarrhea often as the result of anxiety, and to start with I went though test after test, not quite believing them sometimes, until it became clear there was no physical cause.

My psych uses a double approach, treating the anxiety with medication and therapy, and treating the physical effects by their symptoms at the same time. He came up with 2 medications that made things a great deal better, stopping the stomach trouble and pain quite quickly each time they occurred.

The same applied ot my other physical reactions.

As you don't want to tell your family about this why not ask your doctor if it is possible for you to be tested for anxiety anyway, and take things from there. I know from expereince it can rule your life if left unchecked.

I hope you will write again (no obligation of course)

Croix