New health anxiety diagnosis

[Chicken_Wings]

I’ve had depression and generalised anxiety for a long time now, but in a recent appointment my psychologist said I also have health anxiety.

Shes given me some reading to do about health anxiety and we plan to tackle it more in coming sessions.

Im fairly certain this has come on because my mother has stage 4 cancer. For me this is huge, from a family who have never needed to go to hospital, no broken bones, no diseases, barely a visit to the dr (apart from my depression) to all of a sudden my mum is terminal.

Now every ache, every twitch, every spot or bump is something that (in my mind) is going to kill me.

I guess I just wanted to hear from others with health anxiety to see if they have found cbt helpful? Have you been able to curb your unhelpful thinking and behaviours?

[stormcloudz]

Hi Chicken Wings

I just wanted to express my sympathy for you and your family. It is such an intense time when someone is very seriously ill.

In that situation, it's perhaps not surprising that every little ache sets off an alarm bell.

I have heard that CBT is good for health anxiety, but can't give you personal experiences, just wanted to respond to your post.

[Peppermintbach]

Hi Chicken Wings,

I’m so sorry about your mum’s recent diagnosis. That would be so hard hitting. Heartbreaking...it must be hard to witness someone who has always been so healthy in the past to receive such a serious diagnosis.

It must be awful when every symptom feels like it will unravel you...I know some members here have health anxiety so hopefully they will see your thread. I don’t have health anxiety but, like stormcloudz, I still wanted to reach out.

kind thoughts,

Pepper

[Chicken_Wings]

Thank you Storm and Pepper.

Its been really tough, but mum is the strongest person I have ever known.

I hope I can make some progress with the thoughts about my health. I’m working on it.

[Chloe_M]

Hi chicken wings 🙂

I don't know much about health anxiety, but know i am here for you...

you'll get through this

sending strength to you and your mum xox

chloe x

[Sophie_M]

Hi Chicken Wings, hopefully the new diagnosis has given you a bit more clarity.

We have a lot of threads here in the forums about health anxiety - type "health anxiety" into the search bar at the top and they will all come up.

We'd also suggest keeping your existing support thread updated so those following your story there know how you're going.