Severe Health Anxiety

Joey7 · ‎15-04-2014

I suffer from severe health anxiety and have for the past 6 years which all started after my son was seriously iill and we came very close to losing him thankfully we didn't. Since that time my anxiety has gotten a lot worse these past 2 years have been so bad with my physical symptoms worsening to the point I'm googling my symptoms all the time constantly thinking I have some disease that relates to the symptoms I have at the time. I guess I just don't believe that even though my anxiety is so severe it can cause these weird sensations and symptoms in my body which with having health anxiety the symptoms just escalate my anxiety and I can't function at all. I'm constantly waking up anxious hoping I won't have a the symptom that day then when I do it makes me so upset and frustrated I think I must have a serious disease for it to still be there. Can anyone else relate to this and has the horrible scary physical symptoms that go along with anxiety what did you do to help I don't want to be like this anymore the Physical symptoms are horrible.

Mr__Anxious · ‎09-02-2018

Hi all,

I have only very recently discovered that I suffer (quite badly) from health anxiety, and to a degree anxiety in general. Virtually any situation where I can't directly affect the outcome, I begin to feel anxious... Flying, catching a lift, becoming unwell etc.

I have recently begun seeing a GP who also works in mental health. I have a referral to a psychologist but it's a big wait before I can get in to see him. My fiance is a nurse and is so understanding which really helps. Sometimes just talking about what is running through my head helps so much, so if anyone reading this is bottling up their thoughts, please find someone to talk to, whether it is a friend, family member, a specialist, or someone from this forum.

It is odd that at times I can be on both sides of the fence. I can be so anxious about something but at the same time know I am (likely) overreacting. Just yesterday I went for an ultrasound as I was worried about testicular cancer, towards the end of the procedure the sonographer confirmed all looked normal, I momentarily felt at ease, then as I left I began to ponder what if the sonographer just didn't want to be the bearer of bad news? And that I might actually get a call from my GP saying I've got cancer or need further tests? The anxiety had gotten to a point where I was beginning to assume medical specialists were lying to me.... I know that is just ridiculous but I can't convince my mind of that.

Anyway, it's good to be in a community of people going through the same condition as me. I hope one day soon we can all be at peace with our thoughts.

cakeboss · ‎13-02-2018

Hi i also suffer with health anxiety .Ive been feeling really well in the last few months and as soon as i feel sick or with somthing i think the worst.I have been nasuated so badly last day and heart pulpatations.I dont feel like eating and my anxiety and panic attacks have crept back in .ive tried doing my relaxation cds and breathing .I felt so nausated yesterday and started thinking oh what if its somthing else and then the panic attacks set in.I had a bad day of anxiety yesterday and hope today that i will have a better day.i dont know whats set it off but im trying not to overthink and think the worst .Does anyone else get like this with health anxiety and panic attacks .

cweat3 · ‎15-02-2018

Yeah i know how you feel.

For me its always like this because i have 3 permanent disability’s and i have extreme anxiety and experience really bad paranoia when it comes to health. I also suffer PTSD and Depression and other undiagnosed mental illness. I stay in my house 24/7 never leave it unless i have too for like food and stuff. Among other things health is a big one for me too.

Worrier23 · ‎20-02-2018

Reading this made me sad, but helped me to appreciate that I'm not alone.

I've had health anxiety since I was kid. It mainly revolves around me believing I have cancer - a family member of mine died from cancer when I was young.

My anxiety was bad in high school/college but got better through university. I thought I was just getting more mature.

I was lucky enough to have a job I really enjoyed for 3 years after university. I not only enjoyed the work but worked with a great group of people. This really helped because I'd often be distracted by work before a worry could develop so it consumed my mind.

A couple of years ago I left that job, hoping to broaden my experience. I enjoy my new job but I'm a bit more isolated. The office is a bit smaller and the work isn't as interesting for me. So, since starting the job I've had more time to worry. The worries have now consumed my life.

I've seen a GP more than ever over the last 12 months. I've thought I've had cancers in the bowel, prostate (I'm 31!!!), liver, bladder, lungs and more others. I'm now preoccupied with my skin and worried about freckles.

I completely understand the feeling of seeing the doctor one day and then worrying about some other symptom the next day. It feels like you can't get a break.

I'm lucky that I have a great doctor (who I trust and understands me) but when I see specialists I often find it hard to trust them.

My anxiety manifests as increased heart rate, fidgeting and tense muscles (mainly).

I'm seeing a psychologist, taking medication and trying some techniques. They do work, but I have spikes, and I think this is something I'll have to manage for the rest of my life.

I'm aware that the anxiety impacts my family, who I seek reassurance from, and I can understand why they get frustrated.

Anyway, just wanted to tell my story. Good luck to everyone out there.

Chambeer · ‎21-05-2018

I don't know if i am the only one who experiencing depression because of my grades in school. I am the eldest in the family and i failed them because I did not make it on my graduation day. I have 2 failed subjects. And my mom was very disappointed in me, that's why i take it seriously i did not come out in my room for how many weeks, i don't want to talk to anyone, i did not eat also. My mind was floating and i cant think clearly. But my friend recommends me to use CBD for me to cure this depression. And as of now, i see the changes in myself and it really helps. And i read that it really helps in any kinds of illnesses.

stroppytom · ‎23-05-2018

Having watched first my mother and then my father die of cancer I am absolutely certain health issues are one of the main drivers of my anxiety. My mum's diagnosis came out of the blue. Her GP told her she had simple osteoporoses but when my father insisted that she have an x-ray (the GP told dad he was "humouring" him to stop the requests) the real story hit us all like a ten ton block. My mum had cancer in all her skeleton from the top of her skull to her toes. She lived another three months and died in awful agony. I tried so hard to research any treatments which might help her...I even asked the doctor to back me with a letter to the Minister of Health asking for special leave to take her to a famous bone cancer surgeon in New York. The kindly oncologist took me aside after this and said, "Look...enjoy your mum's company in these next few months. No current treatment can help her." I was devastated. After she died I fell into a deep depression and also a hypochondria anxiety attack where I imagined that I had the cancer as well. It took me months to recover.

When my father was diagnosed I went through the whole shooting match again. I looked desperately for treatments which would help him but it was too late. His cancer was very insidious. It crept up on him with no warnings in terms of readily recognisable symptoms. I sat with him in hospital when he breathed his last. Up until that moment I held it together for his sake but after his death I plunged back into the deep anxiety and malaise.

This type of health anxiety (the old term was "hypochondria") is not that uncommon and in the case of the fear of cancer it is actually called "cancer phobia". I know that in my case if a doctor told me he suspected I had cancer I would instantly fall apart at the seems and be a complete gelatinous mess. And yet my psychiatrist and GP keep reminding me that cancer is not the killer it used to be...that new treatments are coming into use all the time and that is what we health anxiety sufferers need to hang on to. If found early cancers are eminently treatable and some new treatments eradicate altogether (like the new treatment for Melanoma).

I feel for all my fellow sufferers...I know what you are going through. Just hang in there. The anxiety will eventually fade.

James2018 · ‎31-05-2018

Hi everyone

New member here - my first day actually.

I too suffer health anxiety. people always ask what's bothering you? what causes the anxiety? I know very well it's health issues. Apart from how i feel health wise I have a pretty good life and nothing I should feel fearful about.

I've had Health Anxiety for at least 10 years.

Does anyone suffer the same symptoms I do?

* Sore/aching legs, feet
* Sore/aching lower back
* Sore/aching stomach/pelvis area
* Sore/aching and sometimes stinging bladder area
* Sore/aching rectum area? THIS CONCERNS ME THE MOST

I have had two cystoscopys and a colonoscopy and they found nothing of real interest. Ive had about 10 blood tests recently, urine tests, bone density scans, x rays, ultrasounds etc and nothing is ever found.

I do have scoliosis but besides that nothing that can really warrant constant aching day and night.

I worry and obsess about it all day and everyday.

Does this sound like health anxiety? Does anyone have any tips that WORK....and/or want to talk to me about it via email?

Feeling pretty down and hopeless 😞

J

* Sore/aching

Malteser_Bunny · ‎01-06-2018

Hello..I have just joined this site and I am quite....relieved?...to see that I am not the only one who has terrible health anxiety. Both my parents died from cancer and I my brain fights to convince me that I will die from it too and that it's just a matter of time. This time last year I was in hospital with depression/anxiety and going through drug changes and this horrible health anxiety has only got really bad since I was discharged, go figure. I have seen GPs far more often than normal (I saw one again just tonight, all in a panic about cancer) and it really takes over my life. I have a psychiatrist and psychologist and am still working on getting the medication balance right. If you are also new, don't feel like you are the only one out there! I nearly cried reading posts and seeing that there are others out there. Sending a big hug to all MB

Flower Earth angel · ‎21-06-2018

Hi, I am new to here about health anxiety.

I need to do procedures to rule out the cause, i dont believe what the doctors are saying coz whatever they give me wont take away the ear problem i have.

I have had this for 3 years.

I also have PTSD. but this ear thing i definately not related.

Im scared to do the procedure coz i dont feel safe in my body andi get problems at dentist liek im gonna pass out.

I dont work and am worried iw ont be able to cope financially or with the anxiety to go ahead with dental.

HELP!!

Lizzie_M · ‎25-06-2018

I suffer from severe health anxiety too, I have worried about my health for as long as I can remember, but when I turned 40, this went to the next level. I was so anxious all the time that I could barely function. My usual fears are cancer, heart disease or stroke or some debilitating life changing disorder that might leave me permanently changed or disabled. Like many of you here, my problem is exacerbated by googling symptoms that leads me down a rabbit hole and by the end of it, I am convinced I have the problem. 6 years ago when this first happened, I got help through counselling and a great website called anxietycentre.com . I also went on medication and had some tests to rule some things out. I wasn't cured of my health anxiety but I was managing it much better.

Then I lost my sister to cancer and then my brother in law just 2 weeks ago. My anxiety has been gradually getting worse again and now I have tipped over into the same unmanageable anxiety I used to have. At the moment, I am terrified that I might have Parkinson's disease, MS, ALS or MND. I know that the current fears were triggered by hearing something on tv which led me to start scanning for symptoms, then googling and then terrifying myself. I know I should not google but it is like a drug - I am seeking reassurance that I don't have these things but always end up convinced that I do. I have trembling in my body, mostly my legs and especially at night. I wake up and the symptom is there and then I can't get back to sleep, thoughts start spiralling around, I'm scanning my body over and over and I find things - tingles, buzzing, twitches, pain. And then I start thinking about how I have blurry vision sometimes which I used to think was because I also have dry eyes but now it is sinister, I suddenly remember back to times over a year or even two years ago when I had a funny dizzy spell or really blurry vision when looking at bright light. I am scared all the time, a sense of impending doom, fear that I won't get to see my two beautiful children grow up or that I will be so disabled that I won't be able to care for them properly. I am constantly in tears, overwhelmed. I know you all know what this is like, I just wanted to share to say I understand but also because I hope you understand me too and can related to what I am going through? I am too scared to see my doctor but I know that I should. I wish I could fix myself.