How do you stop yourself panicking over every little health twinge?

[tortoiseSHELL]

I am having real anxiety problems about health atm. I am spending hours on the internet reading about various illnesses, and am convinced I have everything - various cancers, hormonal things etc

Now my rational self tells me I don't. But irrationally I believe I will probably die tomorrow, or at least very soon and my kids will grow up without a mother.

What's your way of NOT being a hypochondriac? I am aware this is a very silly state of mind, but am very stressed about other things and it seems to be coming out as health worries!

(Now you can all go and laugh at me! )

cognitive behaviour therapy

health anxiety is a proper 'condition' I had therapy for it through my GP

TS, sympathy, I can get myself into a right old tiz about non existent health worries too, I wish I had some wise words but I don't, sorry. I do sympathise though and will read the answers you get with interest.

I was so mentally well after my CBT that I didn't even notice when I was actually really ill

yes folks it is that good

Thank goodness I'm not the only one who does this!! I am totally convinced there is somethig dreadfully wrong with me and tha my children will end up without a mother! I know it's daft, but I can't seem to help it.

I think you are right by saying it is linked to other stresses as I worry more about this when I am stressed about other stuff. My anxiety has become worse since my father had a major heart attack in May (he is doing v now [smile) but now every twinge..anything means I have heart problems/cancer anything!

I don't have any words of wisdom TS, but I wanted you to know you are certainly not alone.

frothy! That must have been good CBT!

Www - it's crazy, I got in such a state the other night, when dh was out late and I was messing around on google - when he came home I was in floods of tears, in case I had something horrible, or even if I didn't, in case I got something horrible in the future!!! Am a sad case!!!

Check out www.nomorepanic.co.uk - they have loads of advice about all types of anxieties and an excellent forum with a whole room dedicated to health anxiety.

From my own personal experience I would advise you not to google any symptom - invariably you'll find something nasty that fits the symptoms you happen to have (been there and done that etc etc)

CBT is good and I use EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) with good effect to manage my symptoms.

ban yourself from internet doctoring!

hi tortoiseSHELL just to let you know i do this too. have struggled with it since dd born 5 years ago. related to stress in my life and probably the sense that as a mum it's so important you stick around - everything seems more fragile somehow. now ds born and renewed problems with partner i get more and more anxious. i've had therapy for it with mixed results. i think the answer really is to reason with yourself. how likely is it REALLY that i've got cancer? etc.. and even if i DO, i can get thru it. anxiety is fear. so talk yourself up - tell yourself you can cope with whatever happens. another trick i do with myself which sometimes works is to give myself a time in day/week when i CAN worry - or to make a dr appointment in a few days - and then set aside the anxiety until that time. give myself a break. that works better than almost anything, but it's hard. good luck

..and as others have said - it's all about how you respond to stress as well. In my case I can be fine (seemingly) but often when I am under pressure I internalise all the stress - a few months go by and then one day I wake up with a lump or bump or ache and pain and am convinced I have some hideous disease (usually cancer). I am better in that I now recognise my feelings are irrational but it still doesn't stop me.
There are alot of us out there.

No laughing, sounds like you are suffering from anxiety. CBT can help although its probably a long wait.
Stop reading the net too!!!

I went through this as part of my PND in all serious googling was just compounded the whole problem so STOP IT!!! RIGHT NOW.

I ended up on ad's for a year with some counselling and I'm fine now. I won't google any illness's now no matter how benign.

I've been a bit like this since I was diagnosed with high BP a couple of years ago. I think it wasn't helped by having a GP who seemed think he didn't need to explain anything to me - just shoved me on medication and gave me a little lecture.

My new Practice Nurse and GP are more reassuring.

I avoid google and am learning how to deal with panic attacks (have had some good advice from people on MN)

CBT. Really works (if it's done well)This book is good as a starter.

apparently repeating back your anxieties to yourself in a silly voice repeatedly also works but you might be beyond that now.

Thank you for the responses - I'm sure this is stress speaking really - everything seems very stressful atm, and I have a ridiculously busy December with work - out every weekend and most weekday night between now and Christmas!

That website made me laugh - it is very helpful! I will look at your book as well BWM!

hi, just thinking of you. did you get your problem sorted. Has it gone???