My health Anxiety

[WorriedDad13]

Hi everyone,

I’m at the end of my rope, im exhausted every day, im worried every day, im illogical with myself every day and I just can’t seem to turn any of it around. Every day I go to work and put on a brave face, meanwhile I am ‘testing’ any symptoms I think I have or do have and am attributing to a major issue.

Most recently 4 months ago my baby boy started day care, since then my wife and I have been sick pretty much non stop. I currently have swollen glands in my body, so does my wife. Logically I know that we most likely both have the same thing and we’re both run down so it’s lasting a while (over a month so far) however my anxious mind is telling me I have cancer and my wife is going through her own non lethal illness.

I’ve been to a psychologist before, I gave up after 4 sessions because I couldn’t see it working. I don’t know what to do anymore.

theres no question in any of that, I’m not hoping for much to come of me writing it, I just had to get it off my chest.

[Jacko777]

G'day WorriedDad13,

Sorry to hear how you are feeling mate, that doesn't sound like much fun. I'm glad you have the opportunity here to get it off your chest, I hope it helped.

Mate, you know someone is going to say it, it may as well be me, it's time to get back to the psych or find a new one. Personally, I had a lot of stuff to untangle, 4 sessions wouldn't cut it and if it took 4 years of sessions it would still be worth it. We can't keep doing the same things and expecting a different result, with help we can learn more about ourselves and head on a new path. We want to get on top of this stuff so we can be the best we can be, for ourselves, our partners and our precious children.

Why not see a GP for a diagnosis? Then you can put your mind at rest. I practice presuming that I am healthy until I receive a doctors diagnosis to the contrary.

All the best mate, talk anytime, Jack.

[Ggrand]

Hello WorriedDad,

Welcome to the BB Forums..This is a caring, supportive and friendly community. I hope that writing down your story has helped in some way. Writing your first post can be extremely hard, well done in reaching out to others.

Im sorry to hear how much your struggling and how your feeling.

I had really high anxiety, which made me constantly worry about just about everything on a daily basis..WorriedDad, on the suggestions and advice from the wonderful people here, I made a long appointment at my gp and told him my fears, my anxiety, my worries, she listened, prescribed me some meds, referred me to a psych,..got me on a Mental Health Care Plan.. Doing this and sticking to it, has helped me so much..Please WorriedDad, maybe both you and your wife could do this together as a couple, to help you to both help each other as well....Just my thoughts, but I found out that it's to hard to do this alone..Please if you can re consider returning to see your gp and psych..

Good luck, and please let us know how you got on.. come back anytime for a chat, vent to update us or for more support..

Kind thoughts, Grandy..

[WorriedDad13]

Just a quick check in.

I still have a sore throat and swollen glands, I have already been to a gp and got a diagnosis of glandular fever, however I have had it before and I’m not confident in the diagnosis because it stays with you forever and shows in your blood. Since my wife has been sick for a while too I am asking her reassure me almost constantly, which I am sure she would be getting sick of but doesn’t show it.

Ive decided I will be finding a new psychologist to see and hopefully get back onto a mental health plan and some medication with my GP. I’m disappointed I won’t be able to go see a psychiatrist, but I did some research and just can’t afford it even though I think it would suit me better. I really hope a GP and psychologist can help, I’m so exhausted.

[Ggrand]

Hello WorriedDad,

Im sorry your throats and glands are still sore, I think this is going around..I caught a cold two weeks ago, the cough, runny nose etc has gone but my glands are sore..Maybe not what your struggling with but I just thought I would let you know I'm also not that well.

Im really pleased you decided to go to a different psychologist, .Im not sure what state your in but in NSW, your gp and psychologist should make you a Mental Health Care Plan. this gives you 10 free visits with a psychologist, and with this plan you may be also able to access a psychiatrist. My psychologist referred me to a psychiatrist.. I hop that wasn't to much for you to understand..lol sometimes my words don't come out right..

Ive had Glandular Fever as a child,mall I can remember is how lethargic and tired and not able to play because I was just way too tired..Please maybe go to another gp and get a second opinion if your not comfortable with your diagnosis..

Please if it okay with you, and you want to talk vent please do so here as well as keep us updated as to how your feeling.

Warm and caring 🤗 hugs...not sure if you like hugs..but if you do..I'm sending you some..

Grandy.

[Cooper22]

Hi WorriedDad13

The best thing I did was I went to see a gp and went on a mental health plan, to just talk about my anxiety helped and I'm on a tablet a day which is helping. My anxiety before was bad I would spend every minute of the day worrying about something life-threatening or that something would happen and I wouldn't be around anymore. I had a pain in my right lower chest awhile ago and had a blood test done it came back all clear, I was not convinced and came up with all different scenarios that the test was labeled wrong and wasn't mine or it wasn't tested for everything etc. Or I would be driving and if I couldn't remember exactly what cars/people were doing at a intersection/roundabout I would have to turn around and go back because it would just play on me all day and night the bad scenarios that could of happened. Since talking with someone I am challenging these thoughts and breaking them down before I build them up in my head, like what evidence is there that this happened or I have this disease. Now over a year on and things have got better i still have worries but no where near what it was and working each day to be less worried Anyway mate just wanted to say your not alone.

[Pepsicola]

Hello! I too, have severe health anxiety. I literally think the absolute worst is going to happen to me. I constantly think about death and health issues. I go to several gps for different diagnosis and I’m always fine but I STILL think otherwise and dr Google wins me over. It’s HORRIBLE. I totally get you. Every pain in my body I think is cancer. I dream about it and it has totally consumed my life. I’m yet to see my gp for a mental health plan. Also. I have been suffering from mental health issues for 16yrs (I’m 32) and have been on and off medication. Have only seen a psychologist once and thought it didn’t help. Worse decision ever. I’m going to go back on meds (stopped taking meds almost a year ago as we were trying for baby number 2 and haven’t been back on them since) and see a psychologist as I’m utterly drained and drowning in my own thoughts. You’re not alone mate. With the right support and help I’m certain I’ll start feeling better and you can too 🙂

[WorriedDad13]

Quick update if anyone is interested.

Went to my GP a couple of weeks ago when I still had sore glands, he checked my glands and said they were no longer swollen ( I thought they were until he said that). I started a Mental Health Care plan, i'm on medication, I've seen a psychologist once (getting to know you session). One session with the psych and she gave me a very helpful anxiety attack relief technique which I have used a few times already in under a week. I'm not yet convinced that i'm not dying which is annoying but I'm telling myself to trust in the professionals. This evening my anxiety has convinced me that a gland is swelling again and is sore, I'm sure I felt a slight twinge for a split second and am now testing it to the point of pain which is only going to make it worse I know, but I'm still trying to just make it through this.

[Jacko777]

Great stuff WD13, you have taken some awesome steps there. (Of course we are interested)

Just keep cranking up those relief techniques when you notice your anxiety come on, the more you practice the more effective it will be. It's so great that you have started your new plan, you are on a great new path mate. Trusting the professionals, so true that it would help to have full belief in your health and that will come with practice and support. You're the boss, don't let that anxiety convince you of anything! (Practice!)

Keep that up and keep us posted. Jack.