For as long as I can remember, I have always had anxiety and hypochondria problems. I have convinced myself that I've have had a number of different cancers, eye problems, etc. It all turns up negative and it has come to the point where I don't even believe doctors anymore. I have never told anyone about this although my parents have called me a hypochondriac and seemed like it was no big deal where I believe it is. I have this huge fear of not being able to live a normal life because something will go wrong with my health. It controls my life anymore, one thing after another. I drink all the time because it is the only thing that gets my mind off it. Is there anything that anyone can recommend? Thanks.

My suggestion would be counselling, specificaly cognitive based. Basically what Dr. Phil does

trg247

drinking's probably only going to make things worse in the long run...
go see your doctor and get the once over to make sure there's nothing else going on...
ask your doctor to recommend a good psychiatrist / psychologist...
start talking to one or both of them...
maybe also look into cbt as a LOT of different sources seem to claim this is one of the more effective ways of dealing with and treating anxiety disorders...
and most importantly... hang in there and don't give up hope...

just my $0.02... :-)

I say try to cut back on the drinking. Alcohol is not meant for "medication". People who medicate themselves with alcohol eventually are the ones who say "I'm not happy when I'm sober." ... which is a big problem. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to judge you or anything... but drinking is only running away from your problems when you really should deal with them.

In some way, when you're dealing with health issues... you have to trust the doctors more than yourself. If you get help from a psychologist/psychiatrist, you will have a better chance of relieving yourselves of all these unnecessary worries. If you feel you have something wrong with you healthwise, and you go to the doctor and he says you're fine... believe him. If you keep thinking they're all lying, then there's no point in getting check up. Don't you think that there's any chance that you may just be healthy?

I have the same problems, had anxiety and panic attacks off and on for 15yrs. 5 yrs ago I split from a 12yr relashionship and thought I'd coped well until 2months ago I was hit with the old attacks and anxietys. At the minute I'm house bound and like always have every symtom going. For the last 6months I have been drinking to help me to relax. Well 2 wks ago I was on meds for a stomach ulcer which meant I couldn't drink. My doc also gave me anti dep as I was really on the edge of a breakdown with my anxiety health issues. But I 've decided that I'm gonna have a couple of nights of social drinking to relax before I start taking my meds. I realise while taking meds I can't drink. Yep when drinkin I am sort of relaxed but I do need to get wasted before I forget my "issues" but the next day I am on a major downer. I'm at the point at the minute when my face is flat on the floor and I realise that I need to take med goodluck jules:angel: