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Children's health

Health anxiety...

3 replies

NorthernGobshite · 28/02/2011 19:48

This should probably be in the mental health section tbh.

I periodically have real health anxiety and convince myself my dd has leukemia or similar. She's had a cold and is very tired at the moment so really struggling at moment to keep it in perspective, compounded by stress at work and PMT.

I constantly watch her for symptoms and look online at health pages...

I am driving myself mad and dh is so fed up with me asking if I think dd is ok.

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nikki1978 · 28/02/2011 21:19

I also have suffered from this although it is about myself not others. Go and see your GP. Anti depressants, cbt and other types of therapy are good for this. Mine is much more controllable now. Look on amazon for a book called overcoming health anxiety by David veale. Ask me any questions you like - I have suffered from this for 8 years so have lots of info. You CAN get past this but it takes effort and willing. Stop googling if you can. It makes things a lot worse and you don't know if the information is even correct - anyone can have a website!

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Hassled · 28/02/2011 21:20

I think this is really common, to a greater or lesser degree - I often have nightmare worst case scenarios going on re the DCs. Like you, worse when I'm already stressed.

And of course all children get ill comparatively often - if you take into account the coughs and colds, things like chicken pox etc. It's the immune system building itself up. And they get tired because they grow so quickly. Just keep rationalising everything so some small part of you realises you're over-thinking things.

Is it worth talking to your GP about your anxiety? Meanwhile - step away from Google :).

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NorthernGobshite · 28/02/2011 21:32

nikki, I have tried anti-depressants but felt like a zombie, and I just couldn't 'do' counselling - I have tried twice and found it of no relevance or help.

I cope with it better than I used to most of the time but from time to time I get like this - stress about anything triggers it, PMT triggers it...its just shite. I also have it about myself but much less so.

I use cbt in my work so I do use some of the techniques etc but sometimes it gets the better of me.

My GP is very good, very patient. I went through a phase of taking dd to doctors every week a few years ago. It was awful as I was so convinced she had something that he did blood tests to reassure me. I have never forgiven myself for putting her through that because of my anxiety.