Just been to GP - saw "hypochondriasis" on notes...

[TolpuddleFarter]

Been to see GP about some side effects I have had from a medication I was on.

Looked at the computer to see "hypochondriasis (3)" on my notes, which obviously is three times where it has been flagged that I am a hypochondriac.

Does this mean from now on I will struggle to get taken seriously?

I mean, are you a hypochondriac? I’d like to think doctors are trained to manage people with hypochondria without dismissing them, but I do think it will complicate things.

They shouldn’t be writing or diagnosing you with things without discussion. Maybe raise it with them?

Isn’t that a stomach issue?

It's essentially an older term for health anxiety.

Sorry I then googled and realised I got it mixed up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochondriasis

Does this sound like you?

I think you must be mistaken. That is not a diagnosis which would be used now. The only context in which any GP would commit that to the record is "The patient reports that she is a "hypochondriac"".

I do have health anxiety. For that reason I tend to avoid the GP mostly because I know it is a spiral, it's like an itch that can't be scratched.

What I am surprised about is the three instances. What concerns me is the most recent issue has been chalked down to "hypochondriasis". I have admitted to the GP about 10 years ago that I catastrophise about being ill, so that will be one of them I guess.

I am a hypochondriac. I am not going to deny that. But I still don't think that doesn't mean I shouldn't be treated fairly and with compassion. It is pretty debilitating! And I am not there knocking on the GPs door every five minutes, this instance is the first time in about four or five years.

Definitely not mistaken. Never seen it spelt like that, so I googled it after.

You can raise this as something you aren’t happy with. They won’t delete it from your file, but a note can be added to it, or it can be hidden from obvious view.

I would guess it's possible that they're using a computer coding system where "hypochondriasis" is the official name for health anxiety, maybe SNOMED? I don't think most GPs would use that terminology directly with a patient, though, since I'd guess they'd recognise the derogatory connotations.

Have the doctors mentioned to you that you seem to be experiencing unusual levels of anxiety around your health, or offered any help with that? It would a bit off IMO if they were thinking that, but didn't offer you any help for health anxiety.

FWIW I've known people with health anxiety who continued to get proper investigation of symptoms even after their health anxiety was identified. It might help you feel confident that they'll continue to take you seriously if you ask for help to manage and deal with with any health anxiety you might have (if you do).

Was it computer notes? Why do you assume that (3) means three times? It might mean a drop down menu with a three-part comment underneath. Or all manner of other things.

Do you think your GP is treating you with fairly or with compassion?

If you have health anxiety it isn't surprising that that it is recorded on your notes but you should still be receiving decent care.

Have you been treated unfairly and without compassion? From what you've said it sounds like you are a hypochondriac, who recognises that they are a hypochondriac, and who is documented on their medical notes to suffer from hypochondriasis. If you're being badly treated as a result then that's an issue. But if it's just an accurate diagnosis that you don't like then I'm not sure there's much to be done here.

Sorry, I took a while typing that last post so I didn't see your more recent updates about already being aware of your difficulties with health anxiety.

It should not mean that serious health concerns are not taken seriously but it may affect the approach healthcare professionals take when dealing with your concerns

I don't think it is unreasonable to have this on your record if it is accurate

Your GP is trained to spot these things, she wasn’t doing it to wind you up. Were you actually supposed to have seen the notes?

So, at the moment I have an issue with jerking as I fall asleep. Which I know is normal, but this is everytime I relax and close my eyes. So as a result I am getting no sleep, which is compounding my anxiety. (Also have muscle twitches in the daytime.)
Started after taking fluoxetine (for anxiety) and is a recognised side effect, and I have now discontinued.

I have seen two doctors in the past week, and neither will prescribe me a different anti depressant, due to the side effects I had from fluoxetine. Been prescribed propranolol for panic attacks.

Been told today to go away and exercise! And that's it. I had 15 minutes sleep last night, and days and days of 2 to 4 hours sleep for 10 days. I am on my knees! Said to come back if I am still twitching in six weeks time.

I am also aware that now I am getting worried about the twitches, that they will be worse. But it's very hard to talk yourself down about these things. I feel I've been left to deal with this on my own, and I know that my brain could make this a lot worse for me - the brain is very powerful and can make you ill!

On waiting list for CBT.

And did you go and do a lot of exercise as prescribed? An hour's hard swimming at 7pm should have you sleeping like a top.

GPs tend to use the word “hypochondriasis” for clarity even though it is generally referred to as Health Anxiety these days. I don’t think its inclusion in your notes is necessarily a dismissal of your symptoms @TolpuddleFarter but it is an important inclusion as it is clearly relevant to you. You may find this CBT based book useful while you’re on the waiting list for CBT.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Health-Anxiety-David-Veale/dp/1845298241

You seem to agree that you do have health anxiety. So, you could perhaps ask for your records to show the modern term

Did you follow the advice to take some exercise?

Honestly I've had propanolol lots and CBT, both were helpful but exercise really really helps for me with panic/ shaking/ anxiety.

I know it's not what you want to hear from a medical professional but take comfort that there are things you will be able to do to for yourself.

Magnesium supplements (best absorbed through skin apparently, you can get a spray) really helps with twitching.

Jolting as you fall asleep is normal but the way it makes you feel is the issue. In the mean time I'd try breathwork/ box breathing and mantras.
Find some easy to read commercial fiction like Sophie Kinsella and wrap yourself up bed with low light/ a reading lamp until you fall asleep. Just stay cosy and very still and try and lose yourself in a simpler world. Nothing too taxing! Once you have a bit of sleep, try exercising but make sure you're sweating and your heart rate is raised. Yoga is great for some aspects but it's cardio that makes all the difference (for me anyway, or cardio then yoga/ deep stretches/ hip openers.)

There's also a type of exercise for trauma therapy that's to do with making you shake from exertion but it's the same mechanism as when you're panicking and it helps to release it in, I guess, a more controlled way?

But first things first you need some sleep.
Hot bath, warm herbal drink, maybe a valerian tea? Get settled, no screens, low light and plenty of deep mindful breaths. Progress is rarely linear, but are going to be okay and have taken the first step.

3 might refer to the level or type of health anxiety rather than how many times you have presented with it.

It doesn’t mean you won’t be treated seriously or with compassion. But you are a hypochondriac and you’ve even told the doctor so I am unsure why you feel it shouldn’t be on your notes.