Help. Seriously panicking about my health all the time. Really getting me down.

[curlywurlywee]

Is there anyone else out there who has really bad health worries. I think I'm a real hypochondriac only I don't go to the doctor because I'm too scared. It's getting worse and I spend much of my day thinking I've got cancer of some sort. Today it's lymphatic cancer and possibly cervical cancer. Even looking at the word "health" on mumsnet freaks me out and I can't read the threads so I could never check out a health worry because I would have a panic attack if anyone said I should get something checked out. It really is ruining my life. I am so freaked out all the time because everywhere I go, the words "breast cancer" are staring me in the face. Am I the only one that thinks I will inevitably get it? This all sounds ridiculous but I am feeling really low with it and wondered if anyone else could share their experience or tell me what to do about it. Thanks so much and merry christmas to you all.

Yes - I'm like this too. It's become much worse since having children.

I get incredibly over-wraught about every ache/pain/odd mole etc etc. I check my eyes for signs of jaundice every day. I'm too afraid to prod around in my tummy for fear of finding a lump. The list is endless. I'm aware of how ridiclous and pathetic I'm being, but can't seem to snap out of it.

I'm afraid I don't have any real advice, but I've seen (in the MumsNet) archives that it can be treatable with antidepressants or cognitive behavioural therapy (or a combination). I'm going to the doctor after Christmas to discuss treatment, and it has been seriously affecting my enjoyment of life.

Hello, I have had similar feelings for years and I finally realised this summer that I had to do something about it. saw my doctor who recommended Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.I have found this really useful, the therapist questions my thought patterns and is helping me to think in different ways to my 'negative thinking'. If you want to see some other experiences this website is useful.nomorepanic.co.uk.

Someone I used to know had this. She found that taking either Prozac or some sort AD's helped. Sorry its vague but it's not uncommon. A trip to the doctors would probably make your life a little easier.

I can identify with some of your post.

I worry dreadfully (and disproportionately) about my health and that of my immediate family.

Not sure what the "cure" for this, or what the reasons are behind it. I'll be keeping a keen eye on this thread.

Thanks SP and PG. It's good to know I'm not alone. I am already on ADs and I think they help a bit. It sounds as though seeing a CBT therapist would help. Have you been less anxious PG? SP I feel exactly the same as you, inspecting every mole, terrified to even look at my boobs or feel them. Every pain I have I think its cancer. I'm now 42 so things do start to hurt a bit more. It's so awful.

Thanks DJ. I often wonder what might have caused these worries. My dd was very poorly in hospital when she was 11 months and it really shook me up badly. I also had PND and so I wonder if it is a form of anxiety as I've not been "right" since having the kids.

My mother has been like this in the past, at times it became very severe and developed into a paranoid depression where she seemed to feel that me, my dad and the docs were colluding with each other to prevent her from getting a physical diagnosis. Anti-depressants made a huge difference to her at the time.

She rarely talks about how she was now though she had talked to my dp because he has had similar issues though not as severely. She's commented to me that whilst the antidepressants worked really well the thing that she feels actually changed her thinking pattern was seeing me very ill after having dd. She said that looking at me being very ill made her realise that she had never actually been as physically unwell as she'd thought she was.

PLease go and see your doctor and accept the help that they have to offer. I think that you are actually doing very well because you are posting here with the insight that your thinking related to health is abnormal. This insight is something that will help you to get better if you allow your GP to help you to.

I hope that you are able to seek help soon but can enjoy Christmas in the meantime. x

Thanks Ladi. Would you believe that I am actually training to become a Counsellor! Although I do think that my life experiences will help me to empathise with others. It sounds as though your mum went through a hard time. Is she much better now or does she still struggle?

CWW when I first started the therapy I think I felt more anxious as I was focusing on health even more than before as I had to keep 'thought diaries'. Now I would say I do feel less anxious. I was quite up and down during the sessions but now feel the anxiety is more manageable. It was useful to have some 'symptons occurring' to discuss with the therapist so that she could work through the thought processes that I was having. she has shown me how alot of the behaviours I do are just keeping the Health anxiety going and has helped me break some of these really bad habits.That's what it is like really I've got into bad habits in my way of thinking and I need to change them. I would really recommend a chat with your doctor.

Mum is much better now though sometimes I do worry that she might slip back because I think that without CBT or some other type of talking therapy she never really equipped herself with tht tools and understanding to prevent it from happening again, ie I still think that she would loose her insight very quickly making the situation more difficult.

Pod, I've just read a bit from the no more panic website and am in tears because its so relevant to me and gives reasons why people suffer like this. Apparently there has been a huge surge in health anxieties due to reality and health programmes etc.

Pod, going to look for a CBT therapist in Jan. Sounds just what I need.

I suffered from this for many years. Initially it was managable, but as over a period of 8 years it really took hold. I was at my worst 3 years ago when living a normal life became virtally impossible due to the constant worrying, anxiety, fear.

I finally got to a sympathetic GP who prescribed counselling and AD's. The first lot of AD's did nothing for me (prozac) but once we changed to venlafaxine things improved.
I was on the AD's for nearly 2 years. I have now been off the AD's since March. Some anxieties are creeping back but on the whole I can rationalise any aches/pains/lumps etc and am not living under a cloud of imminent demise.

I really can sympathise, it is awful to have this health anxiety.

Hippi, maybe I'm on the wrong ADs. Think I need to go to the doctor after Xmas. Am feeling really upset now and am horribly worried about some symptoms I have. Would like to share them on here but am too scared that someone will say the words "you need to get it checked out". This is really messing my life up. I'm glad to hear things are better for you.

Have to laugh. At the top of the posting page is an ad on cervical cancer! Really great.

CWW i'm amazed at how many symptoms are from anxiety or from 'normal' body sensations that i just 'cling' onto and then make them worse. may be that is what your symptoms are at the moment?

Pod, you're right. Do you find that the pain intensifies when you focus on it? I'm sure that people who don't worry don't even feel most of their bodily sensations. It's weird but when I;m not thinking about the area, I don't feel much pain but when I focus on it, I can feel every twinge.

Definately true about the pain intensifying when you think about it. My therapist got me to focus on my foot in one session, she suggested it was probely feeling heavy or throbbing etc and everything she said I could feel!!She suggests trying to swap your thoughts to something else, even just the noise of a car outside etc. It makes you transfer your concentration to something else.

That's a good idea Pod about trying to focus on something else - I think it's called mindfulness where you give your full attention to something that you are doing or thinking. Being in the present moment. I have trouble doing it but must try harder. It does feel like a life sentence at the mo. Just been looking at houses for sale and this seems to have taken my mind off things a bit. That's prob a good example of what you were saying.

curlywurlywee, feel free to share your symptoms, I am sure we can come up with rational explanations for them to help set your mind at rest.

How long have you been on the AD's for? I was on Prozac for two months before the GP decided they were not going to help. The venlafaxine on the other hand helped me to feel more rational within a month.