Health Anxiety Questions!! HELP - Anxiety Message Board

JEDDD5 · 01-30-2006, 09:19 AM

Hello - I am hoping someone can help me with this one. Someone in my town recently died of Cancer. She was only 30. I'm 29. Ever since I heard about this I've been freakin' out over my own health. Constant panic attacks - the whole bit. Do any of you ever see anything on TV or hear about anything when a person dies of a disease and it totally freaks you out? Is this normal? I can't get it off my mind and I'm starting to convince myself that I too am dying of something. Does anyone else do this? I would appreciate the feedback!! Thanks!!!

Emily

anxiouslady · 01-30-2006, 12:01 PM

Hi Emily,
You're not alone with this feeling. Mine is so bad that I cannot watch medical shows like ER on television. If I heard of something that made someone sick or die, I immediately researched symptoms to see if I had them. Most of the time I "had" them all. Its terrible how our minds can play tricks on us.
I use a lot of distractions to keep my mind preoccupied. Sorry I cannot offer more advice but just wanted to let you know that you're not alone with the health anxiety. There are lots of us that deal with it too.
Take care,
anxiouslady

hry33 · 01-30-2006, 12:13 PM

Hi emily
too much worry about health problems is called hypochondria and is a real problem that sadly the doctors often dont take seriously
try to find a good doc and let him do all the worring about your health for you

ask at your local library for self help books about overcoming worry, they have useful advice or try a large bookshop, you can say you are trying to help a friend

daftthing · 02-01-2006, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anxiouslady

If I heard of something that made someone sick or die, I immediately researched symptoms to see if I had them. Most of the time I "had" them all. Its terrible how our minds can play tricks on us.

I'm exactly the same way. I was o bad at one point that I would research, and then after convincing myself I had it - I would just go and lay in my bed having an anxiety attack and crying.

amberil · 02-02-2006, 04:17 PM

No, you're definitely not alone...I have a bad case of health anxiety too...sometimes you feel like it runs your life. I don't believe it's called hypochondira...I've always heard that is a person who is constantly going to the doctor with symptoms...someone with health anxiety just worries alot about their health and are scared to go to the doctor. That's me for sure. Take care!
amber