Health anxiety and panicking. Please help me see sense.

[Scaredofthedark1986]

About 6 weeks ago I had an odd bruise appear on my thigh that I couldn’t remember getting. It started as red dots and developed into a normal bruise. I panicked at the time because it didn’t look like a normal bruise to begin with. I have just discovered another small cluster of red dots on my thigh and it has triggered a massive panic. It sounds so stupid writing it down but if it’s another bruise developing I don’t know where it has come from. Please help me see sense. Right now I feel sick and shaky and my chest is tight.

What are you worried this would be? Most people wouldn’t even notice if it reassures

I have it in my head that this must be leukaemia and that I will die. I know deep down that it’s ridiculous to jump to that conclusion and it’s likely nothing and yet I can’t seem to shake the awful panic. Thank you for replying. I know how silly I must sound.

Has the first bruise gone ?

Probably absolutely nothing but I have severe anxiety too at the moment over multiple things and know what it’s like - if you want a chat just ‘dm’ me

Bruises appear after other symptoms in Leukaemia. Plus it rarely kills.

It’ll be a bruise. Are you seeing a doctor about the HA?

Do you do breathing exercises to control your panic attacks? They help me when I get them.

Breath in for half as long as you breath out. For example, in through your nose for 4 second, out through your mouth for 8. It focuses you on your breathing, and makes you feel in control.

Easier said than done, but dont panic. The body is an amazing thing and does all sorts of weird and wonderful things. The bruises will be nothing to worry yourself over.

I suffer massively with health anxiety. What helps is thinking back to all those times I've had panic attacks and irrationalised symptoms of something that turned out to be nothing. This is another one of those times.

Make a cul of tea and watch a film keep your mind occupied until the panic is over.

Always here, OP

Yes the first bruise disappeared after about a week lovinglola. Other than the weird start to it it just seemed to be a normal bruise.
Thank you stupidworryembarrassed I will drop you a dm when I am feeling a bit calmer.
windingstreams I have seen the doctor and I am waiting for an assessment for counselling. The assessment is at the beginning of April but I’m not sure how soon after that counselling may start.
shortandsweet I will try those breathing exercises. You are right. There have been numerous times I have panicked myself over things that inevitably have been nothing. I have a book here that I’m hopeful will help distract me but if not a film it will be.

Thank you for the breathing exercises shortandsweet. They have been very helpful in calming me down a bit.

@scaredofthedark anytime! How are you feeling?