Please help me help DD control her health anxiety

[Dontbescaredlittlebear]

Copied from Mental Health for traffic
DD is 24, living at home after finishing an MA. No luck trying to get a job so has a lot of time on her hands.
She’s had MH issues for at least decade, a sketchy diagnosis of BPD, general anxiety and is on ADs
Just recently she seems fixated on her health and last night decided after a few weeks of stomach issues that she has ovarian cancer. Earlier in the week it was appendicitis.
As she refuses to go to the doctor how can I best break this downward spiral?

She needs to try harder to get a job. With less time on her hands, she won't have time to make up health problems.

Thanks Bezalelle. She’s applied for around 20 jobs in the past two months, both connected to her degree and local ones but hasn’t even had a reply from any - which obviously is playing into her mental health issues.

Wow great advice Bezalelle, I’d suggest you work on your ability to feel empathy but I doubt you have the capability.
Is she getting out much, doing any exercise? Eating well?

I think Bezalelle is of the 'pull yourself together' brigade who thinks mental health issues are made up.

Does she currently see a therapist? For she get out and about much socialising, doing activities, volunteer work etc?

DOES she! Not for she!

She’s not doing a great deal that is positive. She does walk the dog most days but that’s her only exercise. After four years away at uni she has very few friends locally and they all seem a bit flakey - making plans and cancelling.
And no, no therapist. I have managed to persuade her to register at the GP who has restarted her meds so I suppose that’s a start.
I’m glad Bez posted - I do get very frustrated with DD and can feel myself slipping into ‘just pull yourself together’ mode. Seeing it in black and white helps to reset my empathy button!

HA is a nightmare, talking from personal experience. Over the last 2 months I've gone from cervical cancer, to brain tumours, to blood clots, am now worrying about lung problems - apologies to anyone affected by these.

Best advice I can give is for your dd to continue with Ad's, also Propranolol good for panic attacks. Rescue remedy spray good for emergencies.
Can she self refer for cbt?

Also try to stay busy- can she do stuff around the house / walk the dog /do your shopping etc. I find the adult colouring books good to distract me for an hour or so.

The other point to make is stay off Doctor Google Really can't emphasise that enough.

Wishing you and your dd lots of good luck 💐

Also may I ask which Ad's is she on? Some are better than others for anxiety - I'm on Citalopram which my GP said is one of the best for GAD.

I’m not sure which ADs she’s on now. They’ve tried a few over the years and this lot seemed to suit her. She stopped taking them in the spring but has been back on them for a month so maybe they’re still not fully working yet?
Suspect her mind has latched on to health now she’s finished studying

CBT is really effective for health anxiety, you need a very experienced therapist though. Where in the country are you?

I would strongly suggest contacting her Uni career service. They can look over CVs, applications. Its a drag but a numbers game.

Also second CBT.