constant worrying - Anxiety Message Board

beerman · 09-09-2003, 12:18 AM

hi i dont know if i have a depression problem or i have anxiety attacks or what, i have a problem with seeing something somewhere or hearing it , and putting it in my head , and then jsut build off it until the point that i think the worst will happen, it is taking over my life, some days im fine and others im a basket case, can anybody classify this as anything , an example of like what im talking about is say i get like a small rash on my body or some imperfection then i think i have a std or something , basically i jsut thinkt he worst of every situation and i want it to stop, can anybody give me any advice thanks

MSJade · 09-09-2003, 01:06 PM

Beerman, I can't give you and advice, but I can tell you I go through the same things especially with my health. I get something and think I've caught the worse disease and begin to stress over it and lose sleep. I've been like this for a while, but its getting worse. Sometimes, reading books helps alleviate some of the worry, but then something else happens and I am back where I started. I've decided to take some action, so this week am going to see a psychiatrist and maybe talk it out or get some meds to help me. Maybe you can try some books or research on the internet...they have online programs to try and help. Best of luck!

chriscwharris · 09-09-2003, 01:24 PM

what your talking about is "health anxiety" and is a particular strand of anxiety related to worrying about health and illness.

When my anxiety started I had GAD and PA pretty much, stress had triggered it all. Then as the anxiety developed I developed health anxiety with it, constantly worrying about every pain or twitch.

I read a really useful leaflet from my psycologist take explained the condition and symptoms, and I was a good fit at that time.

I try not to worry about health if I can help it now, just a viscious circle or worry and anxiety. It got to a point where I was constantly worrying about dying and what would happen to my family. I would visit the doctor a couple of times a week, constantly looking to be reassured (another comment trait for health anxiety sufferers) and I would feel a bit better after being told I was fine, but a few days later the feelings would return.

The constantly blowing things out of proportion is also another common anxiety trait. I would always think the worst of any situation. If i had to talk to my boss I would panic I'd done something wrong, even if I had been doing a great job for example.

I'm going through a little bit of a phase at the moment for ome reason, not worrying about health, just general anxiety at the moment. I hate anxiety!!!!

tunemaker · 09-09-2003, 01:51 PM

I've just recently been diagnosed with panic disorder and am seeing a psychiatrist for cognitive behavioural therapy. I am also always convinced that I have something terribly wrong with me (everything from physical disorders to mental.) Basically in the past 2 months I have had everything from a brain tumor, to to schizophrenia to a heart attack to seretonin syndrome, etc. I would say that it is definitely a symptom of anxiety.
One thing that I have been doing is keeping a "panic journal"
I noticed from all of my writing that I always assume worse case scenario and tell myself that when I'm really worried. i think it might actually be working. I can actually laugh at the crazy things I thought and believed. It seems horrible now, but when it passes (and it hasn't yet for me)you can really tell that you were just scared and anxious.

Hope this helps!

SSweetCandy2004 · 09-14-2003, 12:57 PM

hi

yea i have similiar problems. i blow everything out of proportion. i have my paranoid days...and some days im okay. almost everything that someone says or does id think negatively. like if my friend was unable to go to the movies with me im freak out and think ~~~oh he just doesnt like me cause im ugly and annoying etc etc~~~ Just little things like that.
I also have that problem with my health issues...it always seems like something is wrong with my health. and im so affraid that something is wrong with me so im unable to be intimate with anyone.
it does help me to talk to my friends about it and with others who understand what im going through. where i work im able to get free therapy and im thinking about taking that up.