Health anxiety

[shazroex]

Maybe a bit of a random thread but I suffer with health anxiety and was wondering if anyone else is the same as me...

I dont think i have a brain tumour when i have headache but more of find a lump and 100% sure its the big C rather than thinking maybe it could be harmless.

Ive recently just had a lymph node scare, and after a CT and ultrasound im kind of over the bridge with it now, but i feel like my body has no reason to be anxious over my health so thats making me more anxious like i need something to focus on??

Does that make sense? Is anyone else like this?
Its like having anxiety over not having anxiety? 🥴

I suffer exactly the same. My worry is around breast cancer. I'm currently going through a anxiety state about it.

Have a look at this video, it will help you understand the anxiety loop;

@KPA22 i was convinced i had lymphoma for months it made me miserable and i was so fixated on the lymphnode in my neck. I think its had a really bad lingering effect on me as now i am constantly anxious about every other ache or pain and if I've nothing then that still makes me anxious for some reason.

I once found a lump in my breast that was just movement of tissue so i know how scary that can be.

I just hate the unknown!!

@Eyesopenwideawake ive looked at the anxiety loop, ive done intense therapy and just dont think understanding anxiety stops the anxiety.

I beleive its something we will have to live with even if we know why it's happening. I do believe the brain likes habits though and you can link so many bad habits to anxiety so its just figuring out how to change them to good habits! X

@shazroex Well, sorta! Anxiety is an emotion, in the same way as fear, anger, joy and surprise are emotions. We can't stop them happening but we can rationalise our responses to them.

I think for me it's also the fear of the unknown. Worrying about how my children will cope without me. For some reason I associate cancer with dying 😢

@KPA22 I'm the same. My worries are always about how would my children cope? What if I become too to manage.

I know this is an old thread but I'm really struggling at the moment. I've had a really painful/swollen knee for a few weeks (no I jury) so I automatically start thinking bone cancer. Its such a vicious cycle.

I have a physio appointment on Monday so, I'm hoping they can reassure me a little. I'm trying not to offload onto my sister who I've started constantly messaging for reassurance. Health anxiety really brings out a selfish streak in me! I hope everyone is doing OK x