I just can't take this Health Anxiety anymore :(

[Justamuma]

Please can anyone offer any advice or tips of how they got through this as I'm just drowning and I can't go on like this anymore.

I have the worst health anxiety around my children and it's just getting worse not better. It started when I was pregnancy with DD1 in covid due to all the unknowns but then took a huge spiral in 2024 when my DS was diagnosed with meningitis at 4 weeks with just a temperature. I'm just convinced that they are going to die if I miss anything and it's consuming my entire world.

my DD at the moment has a lymph node that is prominent on her neck muscle when she looks up. We've had it scanned and they are happy it's just reactive but I'm convinced still it's lymphoma. She's just a little weight the last couple of weeks after tonsillitis and my head adds them together and is convinced she's dying.

On paper I have such a lovely and blessed life and I know how lucky I am- two children, a lovely husband, a house and supportive family near. But I'm just trapped in this huge cage that means I can't enjoy a single minute of it- I feel sick constantly, am not sleeping and my health anxiety just rolls from one thing to another.

Im a headteacher and work full time so my job is hugely demanding and I feel like im just on autopilot there at the minute too.

I take sertraline but it makes no difference and I've also tried CBT too which didn't help

im drowning, and not sure how much longer i can stay afloat. Im so worried about my kids dying, that im not enjoying them living 🥺

Hopeful bump x

How were you before your first pregnancy? Did you (or anyone significant in your childhood) have any health concerns?

Anxiety is the emotion that brings our attention to things that are too important to ignore, and the health of of our children is always important so it's easy to understand why it's gone into overdrive. However it's not serving any useful purpose at the moment. Apart from CBT have you tried any other therapies?

I was generally ok, I did have a period of anxiety whilst living by myself in Dubai but nothing compared to how it is now.

Look for a therapist who will work with you at depth. You need to get to the root of what’s causing the anxiety to manifest in this way. Try therapists who mention working with trauma as they’re often good at tackling this type of issue. SSRIs have their place but I think ultimately it’s therapy can bring about real change.

It can also be a type of ocd. I take duloxetine which helped me enormously.

You need to get your meds changed. This is serious anxiety or OCD and medication is needed and you are obviously not on the right one. Go back to your GP or psychiatrist and tell them you need to try a different med, this is more than you can address on your own.

I really feel for you… it’s awful.
I would ask review meds … often need higher doses SSRI’s for severe anxiety.
I was prescribed some beta blockers for a really severe episode recently .. taking away the physical symptoms really helped… although didn’t help the stuff going on in my head!
You often need a really good psychologist ? Can you pay privately.
(from a dr who also has really severe anxiety )

Firstly, how old are you?

secondly, having a poorly baby is horrendous and will have left you with anxiety and probably a need for counselling.

be kind to yourself.

@ColdTofuSandwichim 36.

I can afford to pay Privately for the right style of therapy but i didnt find that CBT helped me at all and I dont know what other type to try.

the medication doesnt seem to touch it, but I also dont want to feel numb of all emotion either.

Its so hard- I just want to enjoy my children and be happy but my anxiety just tells me if I drop my guard then I will miss something- I think that's what has stopped me getting help.

CBT has never worked for me, but I’d definitely try another therapy and another anti depressant if needed.

how old are you and what strength of sert are you on?