Health Anxiety is killing me

[MissCeltic]

I have had this for a long time and it’s literally destroying me. I am not actually afraid of dying it’s more like the fear of disability or living in constant pain.

The other day I was sitting at my desk and the top inside of my thigh/leg was hurting and was sensitive when I touched it. I took some ibuprofen and the next day the pain was gone but I made the mistake of googling and cauda equina showed up which sounds terrifying. Realistically I know I don’t have this but then I started panicking thinking what happens if I develop this and now I can’t sleep for thinking about it.

I know I sound crazy and I actually think I am crazy.

You’re not crazy. But I do think you need to address the underlaying issue which is your anxiety. Have you had any help on managing that?

You sound just like me. It’s hard living with this anxiety, isn’t it? It can be all-consuming. It also impacts my loved ones, which is the thing I hate the most.

Are you on any antidepressants? If not, it may be worth speaking to your GP about them. You may also find counselling helpful.

I have been on antidepressants since I was 13 as I had mental health issues as a teenager and spent time in an Adolescent Mental Inpatient Unit when I was 15. This Health Anxiety I have had for a couple of years and it’s just so hard to live with. I feel like I am literally worrying myself to death.

Really sorry to hear this. I can’t imagine what you feel. Have you tried talking therapy? And are your meds adjusted? I don’t know about your specific case but I have experience with loved ones that have been on anti depressants for a while and they sometimes need to be re adjusted. And have you tried some yoga/meditation?on its own it won’t be enough but in combination with the above maybe?

I am looking in to some therapy. I didn’t want to have to go down this road again but I don’t think there is any other option.

CBT and medication took this awful anxiety from me. It’s awful isn’t it?

Look - I know a lot of people don’t like the idea of therapy. But therapy is great. I have never been on anti depressants but I have been in therapy on and off for a long time. Including couple’s therapy. There is nothing wrong with it at all. I see it as giving myself the time and space for my self improvement. It’s not selfish and it’s perfectly acceptable to do so. I encourage you to seek therapy and do so with an open mind

Health anxiety is the worst, I’m right there with you

Health Anxiety is just the worst and it’s literally ruining me.

I also panic because my 79 year old dad has dementia and his mum had either dementia or Alzheimer’s and my mums mum had dementia although both were in there 80s at the time. I worry that this means I am pretty much guaranteed to get it.

I really feel for you.

I've had anxiety and poor mental health since I was a small child. I feel I have been tormented by my brain forever.

I am 51 and my health anxiety is the worse it has ever been. Not helped by the fact I am in perimenopause and I seem to have a different physical issue on a daily basis. I wake up every day convinced something terrible is wrong with me.

My poor mum has dementia and I am absolutely terrified that I too will succumb to this awful disease, I really do understand how you feel.