Health anxiety: when is it time to see GP?

[HealthAnxietyNC]

Could use some assistance from some rational individuals or people who have health anxiety (HA).

When do you know that you need to visit the GP?

My diet is a wreck and I think, as a result, so is my GI.

I have read the internet for hours about when to worry but all this does is introduce me to new things to worry about.

I don't want to be at the GP, I don't want to find out anything bad, I don't want to not treat something that could be treated if I just went and I don't know when to go.

Can anyone help me, please?

I'm hyperaware of all of the sounds and movements in my intestines and small or moderate pain takes me into rumination and panic attack territory.

I eat in 12 hour increments because I feel sick from not eating but worried about how I'll feel after eating.

Thank you.

Best advice. Stop reading the internet. It's trying to sell you stuff.

Go outside. Listen to the birds, the traffic. Look at the sky. Go for a walk. Feed the ducks. Just do anything but get off the internet.

What's your GP like? I developed health anxiety after losing my dad a few years ago (not taken seriously, passed from department to department, wrong diagnosis, unnecessary delays etc).

I went to my doctor about something unrelated but it all came out (I had recently taken myself to A&E with a suspected heart attack that turned out to be a panic attack) and she was amazing - did a little health MOT, sent me for blood tests, prescribed me some tablets to help me sleep. She always treats me well when I go even though we both acknowledge that a lot of it is in my head but I know I can go if / when it all gets a bit much.

I haven't had a panic attack in nearly a year and I can't remember the last time I had to go to the doctor. Just knowing I can and I will be taken seriously, also the sleeping tablets so I am not lying awake analysing everything have really helped me a lot.

So, my point is, if you think your doctor might be receptive, I would highly recommend talking to them first.

Please do go and see your GP. I have HA which I sought help for from my GP and I really wish I would have done it sooner rather than continuing to suffer. If your HA is affecting you as much as you say then it sounds as though you're at a point where it's having a huge impact on your day to day life. I understand how scary it is to see the doctor and not want to hear any kind of scary diagnosis but the amount of times I have built something up in my head and convinced myself I had something awful when I didn't at all has been many. Also agree with PP that continuing to Google stuff just continues the cycle and adds fuel to the fire but I get that stopping is easier said than done. Anxiety Josh has a good episode of The Panic Pod on HA you might find useful. Best of luck ❤️

I think you should see the GP as soon as you can.
The GP will help you through the health anxiety. This is what you need.