Severe Health Anxiety

[Sophie7339]

I’m just wondering is anyone has had any experience with CBT to treat severe health anxiety? My husband is at his breaking point and I’m hoping someone has had a positive experience or suggestions as he’s losing all hope at living a normal life. Appreciate any advice anyone has that may help at all 

[Banksy92]

Hello Sophie7339,

I am so sorry to hear your husband is going through such a difficult time with health anxiety. 

Is he currently seeing a professional for his mental health who has suggested this type of treatment? Or are you still exploring options and are curious about what method to seek out?

In my experience, I have used CBT in various ways to help my anxiety, including for health related worries. Everyone is different and responds to things differently so there is no right or wrong answer but certainly for me, it was a helpful method.

[ecomama]

Hey Sophie7339

Welcome to the forums. 

Is your husband open to receiving MH support? 
Has he made an appointment with his GP to talk over how he's feeling? Quite often a GP is the first place to begin, by getting a Mental Health Care Plan and discuss medications if the GP sees this as an appropriate path. 

Also please encourage your husband to call the Beyond Blue Helpline. He can open up to the Counsellor on the line, get some direction and also ask for referrals they suggest for him in areas close to your home. 
Although so many therapists are available via Zoom, so if he is comfortable with this, it's worth a try. 

CBT may help your H. There are no guarantees that any specific method will cure a patient. 
If there were, we'd all be healed. 

I think it's important to know that if HE is open and motivated to receive support and deeply desires to alleviate the anxiety he feels, it's not an overnight cure, but there IS HOPE. 

Wishing you and your husband the very best, 
EM

[Petal22]

Hi Sophie7339,

Thanks for reaching out and I’m sorry to hear that your husband is experiencing severe health anxiety.

Please know that it really is possible for your husband to recover from this condition with the correct help from health professionals.

I have a lived experience of severe anxiety OCD but my condition started with myself obsessing over my health.

Id find something on my body I thought was wrong I’d obsess to the point of thinking worse case scenario…. ( I’d catastrophonise)…… I’d google symptoms….. this would only make things worse and then I’d go to the doctor have it checked and be told I was fine but this didn’t stop me from obsessing over it….. I would think maybe the doctor got it wrong ect………. I was stuck in a spiral that drove my anxiety up to severe levels. It was a nightmare to live that way.

Along my journey I was diagnosed with severe anxiety OCD this led me to a clinic that specialised in OCD this is were I learned to master my OCD.

Ive been out of this vicious spiral for nearly 5 years.

Im not saying your husband has OCD but do you think he could be stuck in vicious thinking cycle?

The therapy I did was Metacognitive Therapy this therapy changed my life for the positive.

Please ask me anything 

[shelly777]

Hello I am so sorry to hear that your husband is going through such a hard time. I also suffer from medical anxiety. I am currently on a program through an organization called this way up it was recommended by my psychologist, and they have a online program that helps with medical anxiety It is pretty easy to follow, but it can be very confronting, especially if you are having severe symptoms and would definitely recommend the guidance of a psychologist while undertaking the program I wish you and your husband all the best.

[shelly777]

Hi Petal, 

I would like the opportunity to have a discussion with you in regards to your treatment. I also suffer from medical anxiety the past 12 months have been incredibly difficult as my symptoms have become unbearable to the point that I am off work. I am also struggling with depression and panic attacks but know that the medical anxiety is the underlying issue that I need to deal with. I am currently doing a course through this way up. I am finding it helpful, but would love any suggestions on different therapy options I’m so glad to hear that you have been able to have such a great improvement and it gives me hope.