Where to get help - debilitating health anxiety

[Wobblyheart]

This is not going to be very well written. I am struggling. There have been several health scares recently and close together and I also have a trauma related to a benign tumour that took 4 months to diagnose back in 2022 (basically cancer was suspected but it took long to rule out) whilst i was in midst of ppa and breastfeeding a 2 month old... then last year my friends child got diagnosed with a rare and advanced cancer after being told "it's just constipation". And all of it really affected me
I am in cbt, I am failing at it. I am currently having concerns about child's vision and can't atop catastrophising. Before I could convince myself of potential good outcomes but now it's just like dread and panic is inside of me and its overwhelming. It's just a very physical panic and no amount of logic is getting through. I cannot take medicines right now so ssri is currently not an option (but it might be soon). I have used samaritans and similar in the past, including shout which I also can't see how can help right now. I feel just too lonely after speaking to them. Anyway, I know I am not making a lot of sense. I just wondered whether there is anything else out there, any kind of support thst won't feel isolating and invalidating....

I struggled with intrusive thoughts after having DD1. I did ACT therapy - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. It was beneficial.

Have you tried acupuncture or Shiatsu? I found both worked really well.

The Headspace App is good for daily ‘meditation’ but not in the moment of crisis.

I started reading books from childhood at bedtime after reading an article in the newspaper. The journalist had written about how it could soothe Dementia patients. They seemed to return to a time they felt safe and loved. There’s a book ‘Bedtime Stories for Stressed Adults’ edited by Lucy Mangan that I keep beside my bed and I have the app on my phone. I also downloaded the audiobook of Minnow on the Say by Phillipa Pearce which was a firm favourite.

I found CBT useless.

It's just a very physical panic and no amount of logic is getting through.

Yes, I understand you. Your panic is coming from the emotional side of your brain and that will always usurp the rational side, simply because it's older.

Right now this will help. Grab a small item - a bottle of water or bunch of keys, something that fit's into your hands and won't break - and throw it gently from one hand to the other. Watch that movement and concentrate on nothing other that not dropping it.

This forces the two hemispheres of your brain to work together in balance and will calm you down.

Let us know you're OK.

Thank you for sharing this with me. I feel a relief knowing I am not the only one who didn't fund cbt useful. And I had another person also recommending act so will have to find a paid therapist for this.

All other suggestions sound really good too, thanj you. My issue is that I feel like this is close to crisis. Not suicide or anything like that but I am not being able to function properly and feeling a lot of distress. I am at loss of how you get help for this..

Thank you. I will try it tomorrow as now just snuggled in beside my toddler.

I know that feeling of ‘aloneness’. It’s brutal. It’s like there’s this ‘wall’ between you and everyone else.

Are you signed off work? Are you in a Union? Mine provided some counselling which helped me find the time to decide on a ‘type’ of therapy. The counsellor went through all the options in modern psychology. My employer also offered some free sessions which helped me narrow down local psychologists.