Hypochondria

[einaphets]

For a while now every time I've felt ill I convince myself my issue is far worse than it really is. I Google the symptoms that I'm experiencing and then read a few websites until I've worried myself sick about what I could potentially have. Deep down i know that I'm probably overreacting but I have constant thoughts that worry me about how my symptoms probably mean far more than they actually do and it makes me physically ill to the point where i feel so nauseous that i lose my appetite.

I'm new to this whole forum thing and i know Hypochondria is common enough to be talked about and i just wanted to know if anybody had any tips on how to overcome the stress I experience when i begin to feel ill.

[Zeal]

Hi, and welcome to Beyond Blue!

What you're describing sounds like Health Anxiety. I experienced a form of Health Anxiety a few years ago. When you're feeling vulnerable and anxious, avoid googling your symptoms and reading Internet sites, as this will just exacerbate your anxiety. Talking to your GP is a good first step. If they think you need more help, they will refer you to a psychologist or other health professional. 

When I was unwell, a nurse gave me a handout titled 'Understanding Health Anxiety' which was very useful. We are not allowed to provide links in these posts, but I will tell you how to find the information online.
Type 'Centre for Clinical Interventions' into a search engine like Google, and it should be the first search result. On the homepage, click Resources, then Consumers, and scroll down until you find the link titled 'Helping Healthy Anxiety, Overcoming Health Anxiety'. There are a number of modules available. At least read Module 1, to understand the basics of Health Anxiety.

I hope this post was helpful for you 🙂

SM