Health anxiety

[Greengarden12]

My sister has quite severe health anxiety. Been going on for about 10 years - she’s had so many things wrong with her. She seems to be able to manipulate health professionals into believing her. So many tests and procedures - we don’t know what’s real or not anymore. Things seem to get worse when one of us has something exciting or fun to do. To maybe focus on her? Not sure if I’m being unfair or not saying that. It’s a worry and has affected relationships within our family as her regular texts and phone calls are exhausting. She’s on various strong medications which seem to make her very paranoid etc. If we suggest getting counselling she gets annoyed. At the moment I’ve had to go no contact as it’s affected my own mental health and relationships in my immediate family. I feel guilty - should I?

No.

Yes.

She sounds very unwell and very unhappy. Whether she is physically unwell, or mentally unwell she's ill. Go NC if you need to, but at least acknowledge that it can't be nice being her.

You sound awfully judgemental and I hope you never suffer from anxiety yourself.

I do suffer from crippling anxiety - this is why I’ve gone non contact. Reached my limit.

You shouldn’t feel guilty for prioritizing your own mental health and setting boundaries. It’s clear you care about your sister, but her struggles and the strain they’ve put on your family are significant. It’s okay to take space if it helps you maintain your well-being, and sometimes stepping back can also create room for her to seek the right kind of support on her own terms.