Severe Health Anxiety

[Hayleyp]

I am after some suggestions as to how others have dealt best with their health anxiety. At the moment I am constantly exhausted from the anxiety and thoughts of having ALS. It consumes my every waking moment! It all started with a twitch in my thumb, which my GP said was from muscle fatigue as I had spent a lot of time prior on my computer for work...made sense at the time, but by the time I had got to the appt my health anxiety was out of control and I was a mess. I requested to restart a medication I had taken for my last severe bout of anxiety and that seems to have settled my thoughts somewhat, but I’d like a more permanent solution. Since my GP visit I have begun having twitches all over my body in random places which I know is a symptom of anxiety, but those underlying thoughts of something more sinister will not go away! With some illnesses i think I have, I can work my way through them and not require medication, but not this time. In the past couple of years, in my head, I have had breast, bowel, uterine, cervical and skin cancer, as well as MS, heart disease and more!! It is exhausting! Has anyone tried CBT and how did you find it helpful...how do I find a good psychologist and begin the process as I think I am at that stage now because I can’t fake it much more.

[mick47]

Gday Hayleyp..remember the thought is just a thought.I know that sounds simple but its so true.I am on this forum because i suffer from health anxiety aswell .I recently had some reflux that was more pronounced than usual despite my being on meds...now i think i have some cancer,throat or stomach.

The ongoing problem with health anxiety is that it obviously makes us more anxious which leads to more bodily symptoms which leads to more anxiety!!.

We have to be really mindful of our thoughts ...that is whats running this anxiety...irrational ,unfounded thoughts about our health .If we catch the thoughts of ...i am sick..i am dying...we can change it to something completely different...this weakens the health anxiety thought over time and makes a massive change for the better. My wife is a great help for me and understands how anxiety works...she gets anxious about other matters not health...she is my saviour .

Your twitching is a result of your anxiety hayleyp...keep an eye on that thought...catch it...i am doing the same.

MiCBT is scientifically proven to help health anxiety...check the website.

[Hayleyp]

Thank you so much for your reply Mick...I will definitely look into the MiCBT!

It is those thoughts that I am finding exhausting, as well as the constant feeling of being on edge, and the emotions of what if I actually do have this!! I know it is those thoughts I need to reduce and I’m sure everything else will settle down!

thanks again 😊

[MsAnxious]

Hi hayleyp

I have the same health anxiety. In one of the more recent episode, I thought I had ovarian cancer. Well, after a couple of tests it was confirmed that it was only a non-cancerous cyst. But oh boy all the negative thoughts that went through my mind whilst waiting for the test results...!

At the moment I am half convinced that I will never get over my surgery complication. Isn’t our brain a dangerous thing.

In terms of finding a good psychologist, your GP should be able to refer you to one. Sometimes you don’t click with the first one refered; if this is the case don’t hesitate to ask for another referral.

Good luck.

Regards,

MsAnxious.

[cakeboss]

i to suffer anxiety panic disorder.If i have stress i develop health anxiety .I recently had that bad anxiety that i wound up at the drs .I was told its anxiety and my meds are going to be reviewed in few days .I had high blood pressure so i started thinking what if i have a stroke or a heart attack .Got so distressed over it went back to drs again .I have a understanding gp who told me its my anxiety up high i just cant stand it when i have a anxiety panic attack .It feels like its going all day but i know it dosnt .I am working with drs at the moment i was reasured i wasnt having a heart attack or stroke by gp .