Has anyone overcome health anxiety?

[Ashays]

It's rumbled along with me for many, many years. Low level anxiety, poor self esteem and lack of confidence also come hand in hand.

It'll die down for a little while then it'll rear up again. It's bad at the moment. When it comes, boy it really takes hold.

It can be so engulfing.

I was just about to post about this myself, recently started citalopram. I've always been anxious but recently my health anxiety has become awful and I've become convinced I'm going to die, sorry I've no advice but you are not alone.

Thanks wornout

It's so draining.

I know, I really wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy

Hi @Ashays and @Wornout8

How are you both feeling now? I've been having health anxiety for around a year now and recently it's been occupying my thoughts almost constantly. It's so very tiring. I will find a symptom, believe the worst, then when that is tested (and thankfully proven false so far) I just move on to something else.

Yes I’ve overcome it. And mine reached a very scary place where I’d basically spend all my spare time Googling health-related issues. Every thought was of cancer or death or going crazy etc etc etc.

I think for me it has been time. I was in a stressful period in my life and that’s obviously how it all manifested.

I think a key was letting go. ‘Healthy’ people are diagnosed with cancer and those who abuse their bodies are often in the best of health. Pass the worry on. It’s not yours and won’t mske a difference to your outcomes.

I’ve overcome mine. sertraline for a couple of years helped me to sort out my negative thought patterns and dealing with the general anxiety helped a lot. I still have my moments, I get very anxious about chemical contamination but nowhere near what the health anxiety was.

The absolute number 1 tip I would give you is end your relationship with Dr. Google. He’s a nasty shit and will always make you feel worse and worse and worse.

I temporarily overcame it and it came back, if that's any use to anyone? No? Didn't think so 🙄 mine started in 2010/2011, with therapy and hard work I really did overcome it by spring 2012 and that was great while it lasted. It came back when I fell pregnant in Dec 2013 and has never left since, just transferred the worry to my son! The first time round I really let it get me, I lost my job and became a recluse. This time around I had bigger fish to fry (aka need to act normal for the sake of my child and not frighten him, need income for sake of child etc) but on the inside I am still fighting a constant battle.

Yes I overcame it. I never used antidepressants as I was scared of them! Like a previous poster I think time has helped plus monthly counselling sessions. I was at my worst when my children were little (although it did start before I had kids). I now actually volunteer as an emotional support/practical helper for people with terminal illnesses. I'd never have been able to do that a few years ago.

I had quite severe health anxiety until my youngest was diagnosed with a serious congenital defect (thankfully resolved now with surgery). Months of horror following that, but I seem to have gone the other way these days.

I wouldn't recommend it..

Yes mine is completely gone from CBT. Would definitely recommend it