Health anxiety is taking over my life

[carduelis]

I’ve struggled with health anxiety on and off for years but it seems to have ramped up considerably during the pandemic and I’m at the point now where the slightest thing has me panicking and Googling and imagining the worst case scenario.

This afternoon I picked my three-year-old up from nursery and his teacher mentioned that he’d been a bit distracted and I immediately thought brain tumour. It’s this sort of thing all the time - I have this strong feeling of being on borrowed time, as though I don’t seriously believe I will see my kids grow up, because something terrible will happen either to them or to me. When someone talks about us doing something next year I immediately think “if we’re still here by then”.

It is really starting to get me down but I have no idea how to start addressing it. Any ideas or resources would be really appreciated!

Google 'intrusive thoughts' and see if any of the descriptions on websites like Mind, IESO or Efficacy sound familiar. It's not unusual, and a lot of people who have these thoughts have found the pandemic has amplified them. If you're not ready to talk to your GP about it yet, a helpline like SANE, Mind, or Shout (text rather than phone call) might be a good starting place.

Get some CBT through your local IAPT service.

If you have a three year old then you still have a health visitor right? Maybe speak to them or your GP ☺️

Your not alone i am the same I have had health anxiety since having my first baby 8 years ago. I can seem to control it some times but then other times it really takes over me. Every little thing I think the worst. Its a constant battle. I have had therapy in thr past and am currently taking medication from doctor which is staring to help x

My friend also suffered with this, he had a lot of help from GP and went through counselling.
It is really worth a phone call to your GP.
Sending love 💖