Health anxiety

[spaceintime21]

Health anxiety is ruining my life. I am 32 and feel like I am not living because I'm just constantly anxious about becoming seriously unwell. Has anybody else had health anxiety and managed to overcome it? Please could I have some advice?

Currently on the waiting list for CBT.

When and why did this start? As always, finding the root cause is the best way to deal with it.

Years ago. Always had emetophobia since I was a child, I do not know the root cause of this - I can't remember a particular event. Since having children a couple of years ago it's escalated into full blown health anxiety. @Eyesopenwideawake

I struggled with this myself and after several years with a psychologist I figured out that it was a control thing.

A lot of people were controlling me and making passive aggressive demands, and I couldn't stand up for myself.

When I was very stressed by being controlled I would struggle with nausea.

Something really odd happened about a year ago. I was given antifungal drugs and a litre of IV saline and put my foot down with all my relatives (one cut us off because I wouldn't lie for her). The nausea went away quite suddenly, taking most of the anxiety with it.

I've recently had hypnotherapy for all consuming health anxiety and I still can't quite believe how much it's helped. I would recommend it to anyone.

It's not uncommon not to remember the cause, sometimes it's something that simply didn't register with you - especially at a young age. As you know a newborn only has two inherent fears; being dropped and loud noises so anything else is learnt (I don't have children but I don't think babies and toddlers are scared of vomiting).

Another emetophobia sufferer here and another vote for hypnotherapy. Not cheap but so worth it.

I'm struggling too. It's always worse when I've more time on my hands. I'm definitely better when I'm busy and distracted. My health anxiety also really ramped up after having kids. I catastrophise constantly with any lump, bump, weird feeling etc. It's exhausting. I constantly spiral then I might have a few good days or even a week and then something triggers it again. Definitely try CBT. I did do it (paid privately) & it helped a little. There were exercises and meditations to help which I was rubbish at practicing. It's not a quick fix but it's a step in the right direction.

I also found a book by Anna Mathur helpful- it's called Mind Over Mother x

Thank you, i will definitely try hypnotherapy

I can relate so much. I am struggling and have been for many years with health anxiety. Currently laying awake in tears worrying my 6 year old has a brain tumour because he’s been getting a lot of headaches since August. I’ve had no slept tonight and can’t stop crying. I catastrophise everything and it’s ruining my life.

@Ljd401 bless you, it's horrible. I can really relate. I'm starting CBT today again through the NHS.

I had hypnotherapy last year for my health anxiety and same as you I can’t believe how much it has helped!

It’s made such a difference to my life so I would certainly recommend trying it spaceintime21

Hi op. Just to say I suffer horrifically with this.
google Paul McKenna anxiety help and it takes you to his Amazon page. Click read sample and you can download the 18 hypnotherapy audio help talks he has done for free!
I have tried two and they are helping me.

my health anxiety is absolutely horrific. And pain or twinge I think it’s an organ. I go pale sweat and my heart races. My back twinged bending to unload the dishwasher other day and I was convinced my kidneys were failing. I ended up having a bad panic attack it’s ruining my life. X

try those Audio books. 💐

I have suffered with HA for 43 years. In an attack at the moment. It’s so crippling. You feel symptoms but can’t call or go to the gp. I am in my 50s and have routine health tests coming up for my age - this is turn blows my anxiety out of the park. It’s so hard to function when the darkness of anxiety comes back. I start private CBT therapy this week. 🫣