Health anxiety

[Mvshrln]

Hi all,

I've seen a couple of health anxiety threads on here but they're all quite old/inactive and wondered if there were any more recent ones, or if anyone fancied discussing it via this new thread? It's helpful when someone else knows how you feel.

I really struggle with HA, the thoughts bounce around my head until I fixate on one and worry about it relentlessly. I can see why the anxiety has appeared (friends parent passed away, the covid-19 situation has terrified me, I'm getting older/have life events happening like buying a house, and I also work within the hospice sector). It's helpful to know why but it doesn't help with how to deal with it! I'm currently taking venlafaxine and CBT counselling via videocall but the worry takes up huge chunks of my day.

Nightmare! How is everyone else?

Hi Mvshrln a thread sounds like a great idea! I too suffer from health anxiety and going through a massive flare up right now. I think mines been brought on by the fact I’m under a lot of stress at the mo due to family members having health problems of their own.

When I’m at my worst my stomach is in a constant knot, feel sick, have no appetite and I constantly feel on the verge of an anxiety attack it is totally horrid and deliberating to the point where I would stay in bed all day.

But today I’m going to try and push through and do something to keep my mind occupied! How are you feeling today?

Ahh thanks for your reply, lovely to hear from you :)
Its good to know what triggers our anxiety isn't it and I guess thats where self care should come in so we can take care of ourselves. Sorry to hear about family members, I hope they are keeping safe.
I feel the same - in fact I spent 2 weeks in bed absolutely miserable, not eating and totally out of it! I went for walks and just wandered around feeling miserable.
Well done for choosing to push through it today! What are you going to do to keep you busy? I feel a bit on edge, I've focused on a particular body sensation so of course I'm catastrophising/telling myself stories. I'm working from home but have tomorrow off so using that to push through the day.

Hi sounds like a good idea.
I was treated for breast cancer last year which has left me with a lot of health anxiety. I’m still dealing with what happened and have side effects from meds & surgery all of which I worry about.
Like @Pinkmonroe I struggle with stomach problems which are very painful as well as headaches.
I try to cope by keeping as busy as possible even when I’m feeling dreadful. I try to block out how I feel but it’s exhausting and I wouldn’t say it’s working.
It’s not easy is it? xx

It’s really not easy!

I kept busy yesterday and managed to push through however once things settled down the anxiety and symptoms came all rushing back😩. However I’m going to push through again today and get the garden sorted even though I would much rather crawl back into bed.

How are you both feeling today?

i Try to do the same, just push through. Today I’ve done a Pilates class, been to get some shopping but ground to a halt and now feeling dreadful. I need to get myself moving and hopefully things will calm down.

Hope you get the garden done xx

Hi, I’ve suffered from health anxiety for years, after having cancer that nearly killed me. I keep worrying it’s going to come back or that I’m going to get some other kind of related problem, as the surgery I had left me immune-compromised along with other issues. Recently we have been trying to move house, and it’s made my health anxiety worse... I find that any hint of upcoming “change” sets me off. Every little ache and pain sends my thoughts spiralling ... what if it’s cancer, what if it’s a blood clot, what if my kidneys are failing, what if everything just packs up, what will it do to my relationships, how will I cope with the pain, how will I cope with the existential crisis, how will my partner cope, how will my family cope, what sort of funeral do I want, what sort of legacy do I want to leave, what will happen to me after I die, will I go somewhere else or just cease to be, will I have regrets on my deathbed, how scary will dying be, how “comfortable” can the doctors really make me... etc etc....

This is all despite the fact I seem to be relatively well!

I’ve just arranged an initial session with a psychologist who specialises in health anxiety. Looking forward to giving it a go. I want my life back.

Hi pegs11
I completely empathise, being diagnosed with cancer turns your world upside down and it never feels the same again. I think I mostly suffer with depression but I am constantly waiting for it to return. I have pain in my chest which can be many things but I’m convinced all the tests are wrong and the doctors have missed where it’s spread to. The years before the cancer I had a couple of other health issues which also came from no where and I’m always worried that they’ll return. I finished all treatment last year so I’m really hoping that the anxiety will fade with time.
I’m glad you’ve arranged to see a psychologist, I really think that will help you. I asked to be referred via the hospital but unfortunately they’re closed at the moment and the person I spoke to said what I was experiencing wasn’t normal and to see the Gp for tablets. I’ve restarted counselling which is very hard at the moment. Half of me thinks I’m making myself like this and to snap out of it and not sure how the counselling will help. The other half knows that won’t work, it would’ve happened by now and that I need help. Let me know how it goes for you xx

Yep, another one here thats struggling. I suffered with health anxiety terribly back in 2012. I battled it for 5 years after a traumatic pregnancy. I thought I'd beaten it but after losing a family member to a stroke, then another to suicide, and then 2 family members attempt to take their own lives I've fallen off the wagon again.
It manifests itself in worries about my health........like a poster uptrend every little tweak, twinge or weird feeling leads me to self diagnose all sorts. Yesterday I was worried about having lymphoma. Today it's my heart and blood clots, tomorrow who knows!
I've had CBT in the past and recently but the Dr felt that it wasn't working for me as I had not been able to process the traumatic events that led me here. I started seeing a therapist and then lockdown happened.
I'm grumpy when I'm anxious, I'm losing day after day to spiralling down. I have no idea how I'm going to get back to work after the summer as getting out of my house is proving tricker than expected unless my DH is with me. I feel safer when he's there.
Its nice to see that others understand what health anxiety feels like, it's like a secret that no one over talks about in real life.

Hi all,

@July56 that sounds difficult, are you able to talk to your GP about things to help you manage? It's a good idea to keep busy, keeps the mind busy and the unhelpful thoughts at bay!

@Pegs11 those worries sound understandable. It's such a good idea to book with someone who specialises with health anxiety. When looking for my counsellor, I also sought out someone who had experience with that as it is the main thing that I worry about.

@EddieVeddersfoxymop that sounds like a very tough time :( CBT is strange and to begin with seemed difficult. I think my counsellor (who I see over videocall) mixes CBT along with talking therapy (so we have spoken about where my health anxiety has come from and why I have been worrying about certain things e.g. reading a story about breast cancer and then starting to check myself for "symptoms")

It's a relief and a support to be able to discuss this with other people and to know we aren't allowed, although it's awful that we are experiencing this.

I have intrusive thoughts which seem to get worse around events that should be happy (it was my birthday last weekend and I had terrible thoughts which distracted me). I was however beginning to feel like I was having a hold of them, and was able to begin managing them. Then I spent too much time browsing on social media and began to obsess over a new mole/skin cancer (really the mole isn't anything to worry about). But before that took hold, I went to the toilet and had a painful bowel movement and then there was blood on the tissue so I've had 2 panic attacks and felt absolutely dreadful ever since. I want to use the tools I learnt in therapy to deal with this but tbh blood after a poop is scary. I'm waiting for the GP to call me back.

@Mvshrln I would definitely get it checked out (to put your mind at rest), but bear in mind that it’s WAY more likely you just got a small tear “down there“ whilst doing a poo, rather than anything sinister.

I think one of the problems with having health anxiety is you don’t want to be the girl/boy who “cried wolf“ and have your doctor dismiss you as a hypochondriac... and THEN have them miss something important as a result.

I constantly have to battle with myself as to whether I call the doctor or not about a symptom. The anxiety about calling the doctor just adds to the overall anxiety!

@pegs11 oh definitely agree the best thing to do is get it checked out. I had a phone call with the GP who said it sounded like a tear and recommended stool softener. That's often the thing with health anxiety, the bodily sensations can very much be there (and not all made up as some people think), it's just often our reaction to them and interpretation of their meaning is generally more extreme than it should really be. For example, I had a terrible one sided headache and I assumed a brain tumour. The headache was very much there, but it was due to hormones & stress (and an overdue eye test).
I think good doctor's can be good at separating the anxiety from the patient, in fact the GP today knew my history but didn't say "maybe you're constipated because you're stressed/anxious". In the past, I've cried and begged a poor doctor to send me for a test, to the point where I wouldn't leave the room until he agreed to. At the time, it was the only thing to ease my fear (ofc the test showed nothing was wrong) but in the long term it's likely exacerbated the health anxiety as it reinforced my belief that something was wrong and needed investigating.

I feel like the girl who cried wolf. I see or speak to my gp at least once a month because I’m so convinced I have something. What I will say is though what I’m mostly there for is lumps and pains in the chest which I should be getting checked out regardless so at the same time you don’t wanna not go. I get anxiety that they are just robbing me off because of the fact I have health anxiety and j have it severely so now I’m just told I’m too young it’s fine (I’m 31) it’s such a hard mental illnesss to tackle because once u notice something u can’t un notice it

@Muffintop8 it's good to still go to the doctor if you have something you feel concerned about, I've called them every week for the past month unfortunately! However, I do think our reaction to certain physical/bodily sensations is more severe than others which is why we often go to the doctor straight away. Have you spoken about your anxiety with your doctor? Mine were very good and called every 2 weeks to see how I'm getting on with medication etc. I definitely agree that once you notice something you can't unnotice it! But that means there may be a bodily sensation there that we are aware of, but it doesn't not always require a high level of anxiety as a response. Thinking of you cos I know it's horrid (I'm a similar age too) xx

If I have to call/visit the doctor about a symptom now, I normally say “I have a lot of health anxieties, I currently have a symptom I want to talk to you about, so I can hopefully get some reassurance”.

Last time I called was about a week ago and it was because I’ve been getting stabbing/burning pains all over my body (mostly my legs). The first thing the doctor asked me was: “are you particularly stressed at the moment?” I said yes. She said stress can cause your nerves to jump around and do weird things (she didn’t use those exact words, hers were much more medical and professional!). It makes sense. Apparently around 90% of symptoms people present to their GP with are stress-related. I said thanks for the reassurance, and that it was a relief as I’d been worried it was a DVT. She explained DVT symptoms, and it turns out they’re nothing like what I was experiencing. So I’m glad I asked.

(I am still getting the pains, but they’re troubling me less now, mentally. I’m not obsessing over them. However, if they continue for several weeks I shall go back to the doctor.)

I think doctors these days are mainly there for reassurance and I think they know that’s their main job! So really, we shouldn’t feel ashamed to talk to them about our health anxieties. That in itself is a modem-day disease, and should be given due credence and treated with sensitivity.

I must say though, the one thing that does really trouble me is the fact that getting referrals to specialists is becoming increasingly difficult. I have had sinus issues for years, and a year or so ago my GP found a huge polyp in my nostril. She said a few years ago, a polyp would have been an “urgent referral” to ENT. Now, they won’t see me at all. Certainly not in my area. So unless I can pay privately to see someone (which is very difficult for me as I’m currently unemployed) I just have to live with the polyp and hope for the best.

I am a big believer that, if you can afford to pay privately to get something checked out, then you should. Whatever it takes to put your mind at rest! Sadly not everyone can afford to do that.

But for those who can afford a few hundred quid, you can go and get an ultrasound (around £200), an X-ray (around £100), a CT scan (around £500)... sometimes it’s worth making enquiries.

On one occasion I had terrible stomach pains and I was panicking so hard, I just took myself to A&E. It was surprisingly quiet, and the wait time not too long. They gave me tests there and then. I’ve gone away feeling less anxious.

I am not advocating going to A&E - especially during the current pandemic, and I would advise anyone to think VERY carefully about whether going to A&E is a good idea.... I’m just sharing my experience.

I’d also like to add: I think the big problem with health anxiety is that it doesn’t allow you to separate the wheat from the chaff, symptom-wise. Because our state of anxiety/panic in itself compounds EVERY little ache and pain, we become unable to decipher what really IS a medical problem. I think that if we didn’t panic so much, we would be able to trust our bodies more to let us know when a real problem arises. And so our anxiety is, ironically, the most dangerous thing for our health! That’s one reason I’d like to get on top of this health anxiety. It could actually save my life one day.

@Pegs11 you've got it spot on there! This particularly resonated with me:
I think the big problem with health anxiety is that it doesn’t allow you to separate the wheat from the chaff, symptom-wise

I agree with you about doctor's being able to provide reassurance. I think it's incredibly helpful for them to provide sufficient and reassuring information (e.g. when they described why you might be feeling the sensations in your legs). Often that is what panics me - I don't know why I am having a certain sensation. For example, I have very lumpy breasts, one of which gets affected more during my cycle. I attended a private breast clinic and the staff performed an exam and ultrasound, and explained that breast tissue can be affected in different ways and more so on one side, and that it is normal.

I do find I get very spun out by news stories that are highly emotional surrounding health, and they cause an incredibly high level of anxiety for me. I have a feeling my counsellor might suggest exposure therapy soon to confront this..

I think a lot of my health anxiety stems from being diagnosed with cancer and the year before having to cope with a couple of other problems. I’ve never been the healthiest person but nothing too serious. Even when having tests etc for cancer I don’t think I thought this could happen to me and when it did felt I couldn’t trust my instincts any more. I now don’t know if I’m over reacting when I have a pain etc and when I’ve gone to have things checked out I always feel I’ve wasted their time. No one says that but it’s the feeling I get. I have pain in my chest from surgery which I get told is common but I wish it could be checked more thoroughly. I know it’s difficult during lock down but so is worrying that you’re going to be told the worst.

@July56 that's very understandable and it is helpful for us all to know where our anxiety has stemmed from. You are not wasting their time by asking to be checked out - infact, it even says that on the NHS website that we are to continue contacting the GP if we feel we need to and that we are not wasting their time. You mentioned earlier in the thread that you have started counselling which is really good as hopefully they will work with you to create some healthy and long lasting coping techniques

Hi everyone - really nice to see a thread about this, as I'm suffering from it especially at present. I've always been a bit of a hypochondriac and been convinced I've had different illnesses - brain tumours, meningitis, all sorts of things...work usually takes my mind off it but I've been unemployed for so long and during lockdown I've had so much time to focus on every little feeling in my body!

It's changing day-to-day the things I'm feeling at present, but I'd never realised how bad anxiety could make you feel. I'm certain it's anxiety causing all these feelings - I'm very healthy, mid-20s and have no reason to think that it's anything else. I just get these weird sensations and it's all I can focus on - it makes me feel better when I realise that there's no actual physical symptom in a specific part of my body I would be able to explain to a doctor, it changes all the time and I know it would be clear if something was clearly wrong. At the start of lockdown I was terrified I had the virus all the time, now it's other things - breathlessness, dizziness, fear of being nauseous (I'm emetophobic and vomited for the first time in 15 years on Boxing Day last year), and then I worry that all these feelings mean something is wrong with me!

Sorry, long post and I'm sorry to read about those of you who have had cancer which has triggered this - that's very understandable, I don't have a reason for how I feel it's just my anxiety got out of control! Anyway, it helps to read there are other people who feel like this.

Hi @Sojo88 yep totally understand how you feel, particularly

during lockdown I've had so much time to focus on every little feeling in my body!

I've been SO overly focused on my body during lockdown, and where my lifestyle habits have changed due to working from home, I have different body sensations. For example, I'm no longer as active as I don't commute to work and my desk at home isn't as comfortable as my work desk, so I get more achey. I know how you feel with it being weird sensations, I get those a lot and all over and it gives me a real sense of dread/unease. However when I have had something particular to focus on (when I had a tension/hormone migraine), that spun me into a never ending googling and reassurance seeking spiral which was horrid.

It's horrid being sick isn't it, I have that phobia too and used to spend every single night worrying about whether I would be sick in the night.

Perhaps if you feel it's anxiety causing these things, could you look into some online counselling/self help? the getselfhelp website has a lot of useful content for free (recommended by my counsellor too).

It sucks how much this affects us and how upsetting it is :( It does help to know others feel the same, and I think it helps to know that it's something we can learn to treat and manage

@Sojo88 breathlessness, dizziness and nausea can be common symptoms of anxiety too! I change every day too, sort of take it as it comes and try to manage my feelings with tools I've learnt through therapy or help websites etc.

What I find mad is when I go on social media or go out and see people living their lives or complaining about random things and I'm like "how do they do it when I'm curled up here panicking about my body and diseases?"

I have terrible anxiety and going through a breakdown but I also have several long term health issues and undergo frequent testing anyway. But sometimes the anxiety & actual conditions can cross paths like heart palpitations, headaches, low iron, lightheadedness, nausea, weight loss etc.

2 days ago my GP said to me “I know you so well. I’m here for you. And together we’ll know what’s mental health and what’s physical health. It’s ok to feel how you feel and one day you’ll be happy again. I’m responsible for your care so you have nothing to worry about (health wise)”

I think my GP is amazing. am going to start talking therapy soon.

We even worked out that Propranolol was making my anxiety worse

Roght now I’m dealing with it. I’m convinced I have lymphoma but with good reason. I have two swollen lymph’s on my neck and one in my groin that’s been up for months and months as well as a severe debilitating stomach pain I get on and off every couple of weeks (for the stomach pain I’ve been on anti acids, had an endoscopy an mrcp and gallbladder scanned all clear) these things aren’t just all in the mind it’s actual lumps and the stomach pains are what I would think a heart attack would feel like it’s so bad. I’m not a a&e goer ever but I do go to my go at least once a month. I went in March about my lymph’s but she just said because they aren’t over 2cm she can’t do anything so just wait and see basically and as I can imagine I’ve been a mess for months with two small kids to look after. It haunts me everyday that I may have it and it’s just getting worse and worse and when they don’t even take me seriously what can I do? I can’t pay for it coz I can’t afford it so what do I do? I just feel hopeless and terrified

@MyTearsAreOnFire I think one problem is that everyone, not least GPs, wants to try to keep mental and physical health as completely separate things. That implies one isn’t impacted by the other.

Rather than a doctor say “I think this pain is all in your mind” when you tell them you’re stressed, they need to go further and explain how stress impacts the body physiologically. They need to say something like, “I think that because your mind is under stress, this sends chemical signals to your nerves and muscles which tell your body to go into fight or flight mode... this can impact the body in many ways, and can sometimes manifest as [insert physical symptom here].” Then maybe tell you to give it a few days and if it’s not getting any better, to come back.

(...Perhaps also send you away with a short course of something to calm your nerves... I find diazepam v effective... propanalol isn’t great).

It’s great that your GP is being so supportive though. It make so much difference when you feel someone is “on your side” and that they really care.

Best thing I ever learned was how the body reacts when you’re in the “sympathetic” (alert, problem-solving) or “parasympathetic“ (resting, recovering) state. Some people are in a constant sympathetic state and not getting enough proper rest and relaxation. This can play havoc with your nerves, muscles, digestion etc.

So, even if you can take just five minutes, twice a day to try and get your body into the “rest” state - by breathing slowly, not paying attention to the negative thoughts, lowering your heart rate etc - you will be doing your body a huge favour and giving it a break from being on high alert all the time.

Meditation, yoga, mindfulness are classic tools for getting into the “rest and recover“ state. Two other things I would recommend for getting into the “parasympathetic” mode:

1. Sound healing! It’s incredible. Probably not many people offering this in person at the moment (due to Covid) but there’s plenty of stuff on YouTube - you must use headphones though to get the full effect. I like the singing bowls myself. (ASMR is also good - I like “sandtagious” on YouTube, for super-relaxing visuals and sound)

1. A “Biofeedback Relaxation System” for Stress Management. It looks like a computer mouse, you put two fingers on it and it measures you pulse or electrical signal or something and emits a tone. The higher your pulse, the higher the tone the device emits, and vice versa. It enables you to monitor your current state, and to try ways to get that tone lower. It’s rewarding when you realise that slowing your breathing and relaxing your muscles, you can lower the tone on the device, and know that you’re helping you body by doing so. They’re not easy to come by though as they’re a bit “retro” now... you might be able to pick one up on eBay.