Health Anxiety and CBT - advice needed

[squishymarshmellow]

Hi there

I have struggled with HA for most of my life. Recently I started therapy (high intensity CBT) and I am trying so bloody hard to overcome the thoughts and compulsions.

I had a specific area I'd fixate on (a boob) and since I have been working on my MH I have realised its fine and there's nothing wrong with it.

However in the last couple of weeks I have become obsessed with the lymph nodes that surround the area. I poke and prod 50 times a day and worry that I can feel something. I really thought I'd turned a corner as I no longer fear my original fear, but now it's like I've gone down the line and fear the second most similar option.

Has anyone ever found that CBT causes this? I feel like I have got better and worse at the same time. Thanks

With HA the content of the worries often change but the process is the same. You have a worry about your health, you feel anxious about it, you want to check, you check, the checking makes it hurt more/ get swollen etc sometimes the check helps but the worry always comes back.

Just use the same skills you used to overcome the boob fixation for the lymph nodes. It’s exactly the same issue it’s just that the area of the body you are worried about is different. Once you have overcome the lymph nodes then it’s likely you will worry about something else. Keep using the same skills and with each new worry it gets easier and easier to move on from the worries.

thank you so much @DarkWingDuck that makes complete sense why didn't I think of doing that 😅

I guess that is the joy of irrational fears. I'm going to try and stop checking and challenge the thoughts.

Glad it helped. A big dose of self compassion on the side always helps as well.