Physical symptoms of health anxiety

[LambLamb]

Hello,
I have health anxiety, have been seeing a counseller for a few years, originally about other issues but she has been a great help. I have recently have covid, and found that this has spiked my health anxiety massively. I am tired, I get numbness, aching and tingling in my legs and hips,
headache, dizziness and generally have no patience with my kids. That's the part I hate most.

Does anyone else have this? I have had sertraline in the past, but keen to try alternative methods to deal.

Anyone?

Sorry to hear you’re suffering with this.

I have general anxiety which became fixated on health after my parents died of cancer within 10 weeks of each other. I often had physical symptoms. In my case, symptoms were mostly gastrointestinal and sinus related but there were others. It’s such a vicious cycle because the symptoms made me believe I had a serious illness, and that belief lead to further anxiety, which made the symptoms worse.

Eventually it was Sertraline that helped me the most, along with a bit of CBT, meditation and regular exercise.

Important to note that, although it is quite likely that the anxiety is responsible for the symptoms, there is always the possibility that there may also be a physical issue, so it’s important to see the Dr about anything worrying. I’m sure you already know this, but I remember thinking for a while that I shouldn’t see the GP about anything at all because it was bound to be the anxiety, which is obviously not necessarily the case.

I really hope you find some relief. 💐

Hi,

I'm so glad I gave seen this post. I've always been a worrier but normally can keep it u fee control. Last week I start getting pins and needles in my feet and obviously went on google and have totally freaked myself out and go it in my head I have ms. I can't stop crying. I can't think about anything else. I'm not sleeping well. I genuinely feel petrified that I'm dying. I hate feeling like this. I have two young children and keep thinking I'm going to die and not be with them and can't stop crying

I'm the same I get panicky like I have to escape or I can't breathe. Constantly think the worse but I am also terrified of doctors and hospitals. It's horrible only thing that helps is me waking round outside or distraction.