This is probably not a good thing that I found these boards since I think I am becoming a huge hypochondriac/ OCD-er. But at the same time- I need to find help.

For about 5 years- I am 25 now- I have obsessive thoughts of being sick and dying. Everytime I feel a little "off" I have irrational thoughts of me lying in a casket at my funeral. Right now I am being plagued with thoughts of cancer b/c I have a swollen neck gland. This summer I was convinced I had breast cancer even though I didn't have any lumps. I think I am losing my hair also- which I actually am due to a hormonal disorder. No one can tell though but I am still obsessed. Having little aches and pains and unexplained medical issues are a normal part of adult life I think. I, however, can't deal with them. Whenever I find a symptom I become disengaged in life. I search the internet for hours at a time trying to figure out what is wrong with me. I am in law school so this is not a good thing since I obviously have better things to do. I become snappish with my partner, lose interest in sex, and eat compulsively b/c I think I am dying- so why not eat? I am very scared about all of this since I am so young. My parents really do think I am a hypochondriac and don't give me any good advice about dealing with it. I have tried to tell people how I feel when this happens to me but I end up becoming really upset.

It's not always like this. I am ok for months at a time. I am really UP at these points and feel like nothing can get me down...until I find something to worry about. Then all changes and I become withdrawn until I go to a doctor and they tell me what's going on if anything. I guess it also doesn't help that I am scared of going to the doctor. I torture myself until I just can't take it anymore and I make the appointment.

Does this sound OCD to anyone and if so- can it be helped and what kind of doctor should I go to? I feel good that I finally am facing this problem...b/c I think it really is a problem.