Does anyone suffer with health anxiety?

[victoriaaaa]

So I think I suffer with health anxiety . I'm always thinking that I'm ill despite having mild symptoms or doctors reassurance . I think this got triggered by getting referred to the breast clinic . All good thankfully. After that I was fine for 2 weeks happy as ever then boom Every little symptom I have with my body I automatically think I'm really ill . It's effecting my relationship and I'm just struggling with daily life . I'm sick of waking up with fear . Iv been prescribed tablets but don't want to take them due to side effects .

Will this ever go ? Will I always feel like this ? My friend died suddenly this week on Christmas Day and cause of death is unknown , she was only 25 . And that's just caused my anxiety to go sky high . I dunno i don't know why I feel like this , I'm in a unhappy relationship too so don't know if all this is linked ! I'm 22 with two kids . Please any advice would be grateful x

@Porfre

No I'm too busy with work and the kids. I dont have time.

Too busy for anxiety? Pull the other one.

I'm a single parent and work full time for the ambulance service. Still suffer with health anxiety and various other problems.

Doesn't matter how busy you are. It's constantly in the background even when you try to throw yourself into other things.

It's so hard 😩 I just wish those around me could understand . I find I get stomach issues and gas which adds to my anxiety but I think it's stress that's doing that ! I'm trying to stay away from google but I keep searching when something pops into my head , on the plus side I'm taking my medication now so hopefully that helps x

@victoriaaaa

It's so hard 😩 I just wish those around me could understand . I find I get stomach issues and gas which adds to my anxiety but I think it's stress that's doing that ! I'm trying to stay away from google but I keep searching when something pops into my head , on the plus side I'm taking my medication now so hopefully that helps x

I think it's something that's really hard to understand unless you've actually experienced it

Yrs, I have this, it’s horrific (and ignore that stupid comment about being too busy, that’s not how it works). I’m on anti anxiety meds but the worries are all encompassing. I’m currently waiting for an appointment at the breast clinic after finding a lump and am absolutely petrified - it’s taken over every thought I have.

OP I totally get it how the death of your friend has triggered it. I have health anxiety too and it’s consuming me at the moment with Covid making the rounds again. My DH had a stroke 2 years ago at the age of 33 - never found out what caused it, so that plus the pandemic has triggered waves of health anxiety over the last couple of years. You have my sympathies, it’s horrendous.

Definitely take the medication it will make a difference. Establishing a good self-care routine will help you too. Such as gentle exercise, yoga, and meditation definitely help me, and lavender oil in a diffuser before bed can help you relax and sleep better. I also do talking therapy, and reflexology monthly which definitely makes a difference - it’s an expense not everyone can shell out for but if you can it’s definitely worth it.

Yes and it’s horrible.
Mine started after the birth of my daughter 9 years ago. It was an extremely stressful time with bereavements and moving house too.
It took me a long time to admit it and even longer to get help. Medication was a game changer for
Me.
I’ve also had cbt which helps.
I have periods where I am ok and then it can suddenly hit me again.

I have a friend who very obviously has health anxiety. She tends to use me as a sounding board. I don't mind, I am willing to listen but I am worried I am not actually helping her? I try to steer her away from the imagined health concern and gently point out it is anxiety that is her issue but I don't seem to be getting anywhere. I would be interested in how people who actually suffer from this issue think I should handle this? I want to be a good friend but I don't want to enable her. Anxiety is effing awful! Sorry to all who suffer daily x

@Libraryghost hi I have health anxiety and have done for many years. I would say that no matter what you say to her you may never really ‘get through’ as I think only therapy helped me. I probably annoyed loads of my friends and family over the years.. i would seek reassurance from them constantly. I told my therapist this and she said I when I’m seeking reassurance I should ask my friends to say ‘your seeking reassurance again I’m not going to give it to you’ or something like ‘ we’ve spent x amount of time talking about this I think we should talk about something else’ I couldn’t really imagine my friends saying this to me or me wanting to hear that though. I would say just acknowledge and remind her that it is an anxiety and a worry problem rather than a health issue. I’ve had ppl ask me ‘ have you googled it’ or ‘have you seen the Doctor’ or telling me to go to the doctor which was enabling me and made me feel worse. It is hard as I have a friend who has health anxiety to probably worse than me and even sometimes I don’t know how to deal with her