Health Anxiety taking over my life

[Notthinkingclearly]

I have suffered from health anxiety for a long time now. I have periods where I'm a bit better but it is like the elephant in the room and I go to great lengths to avoid the panic by showering in the dark(so I can't see any of my body), not letting dp touch my boobs because I'm convinced he will suddenly say " oh I can feel a lump". Then I swing the other way and I become totally obsessed with checking for al sorts of possible illnesses. If you checked the search engine on my phone for the last few days I will loads of different illnesses.I have a torch and mirror in both bathrooms where I have been looking down my throat and checking in awkward places for moles. i can see its illogical but I can't stop myself. I have worried about so many different things today I'm so physically exhausted. It's the horrible panic that my kids might not have a mum. It doesn't stop there though i worry about everyone in my family too. I have wasted so much time worrying and not enjoying myself. I need help but really don't want to go to my GP. I think they will never take me seriously again and I really don't want to take medication.

[salsamad]

You must be exhausted with all the worry and stress and it sounds like you are becoming overwhelmed with the feelings you are having.
Going to see your GP is the very best thing you can do to start helping yourself. You don't necessarily need to start taking medication, though with lots of anxiety disorders medication can help as part of a treatment plan. Please don't think meds don't help because they do, providing you are prescribed the right one for you. If you had an allergy you'd take antihistamines wouldn't you, so if you need to take tablets to help you with your anxiety then you should not feel guilty or worried about doing so.
Your GP will listen to you and hopefully you will feel comfortable enough to tell them exactly what you have written in your post - they may refer you to a psychologist who can help you understand your thoughts and feelings - they may possibly suggest a course of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy ( to help you address your thoughts). It's important that you see your GP as soon as you can as there will be a waiting list for referrals for counselling/specialist help.
Coping with anxiety and depression is hard, you need to share how you are feeling with sympathetic friends and family members - with the right help and support there is a way through. You could buy a mindfulness CD and listen to it regularly as this will help you to de stress and channel your thoughts elsewhere. Also you could try joining a local yoga group to try relaxing breathing techniques with gentle exercise.

[HPFA]

I agree - see your GP. I got referred for telephone counselling and it was quite helpful - it was nice to talk to someone who was being paid to listen to me ! Got a flare-up at the moment due to a health issue but had a "year off" between the help and now and at least now I can now hope for that to happen again.

[lovechocolate123]

Notthinkingcleary- did you go to the doctor? How are you managing it nowI know that you posted some time ago but when I read what you had written I could relate to everything you have said. I have been suffering from Health Anxiety for 10 months and I feel like it is ruining my life!! I have always been a worrier and get easily anxious about things but this is something else. All I can think about is me being seriously ill.

[ppeatfruit]

I agree with the OPs of course BUT I will add that there is way to stop worrying, do what you can to BE healthy. (My family have a bad health history) So I studied eating for my health .

I follow the Blood Type Diet by Dr. Peter D'Adamo which is followed by people like Kim Cattrall, Cliff Richard. It works well, I'm 65 and am the only person I know ,even including people a lot younger than me, who is properly healthy. You can get apps.

I also am on the Hay diet for my gut , it means not combining carbs and heavy protein at the same meal. pm me if you're interested. I also do stretches and yoga type exercise s we'll as dance!! Good luck