Hello everybody. I wanted to post a question for somebody here to possibly answer because I think I might be losing my mind.
First of all, I am a "normal" late twenties male. I have come to realize over the recent years that I think I am a severe hypochondriac. My primary fear is cancer. Everything that is wrong with me is cancer - from my normal aches and pains to more serious things like moles and prostate difficulties.
On another note, I *do* have some legitimate health issues: arthritis, abnormal moles (increased risk for melanoma), and some unknown prostate issue currently). However, looking at the internet (I know I shouldn't, but I always do) fuels my fears.
I have tried antidepressants before, but they don't get rid of the problem. In fact, they cause side effects that increases my worry and mental distress. I would not mind taking antidepressants, but I don't necessarily want to tie myself down to taking medication every day for the rest of my life. I'd like to be able to get myself through a crisis and not be on drugs, if possible. If it's not, I'll bite and take the meds.
It's very hard for me to admit that I have a problem, but I do. There is (untreated and unacknowledged) mental illness in my family, thus I am forced to see it regularly. However, I need to act on this before it consumes me. I will not allow a mental problem to prohibit me from functioning in life.
Generalized anxiety disorder suffers "anticipate disaster, are OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES, money, family problems, and/or difficulties at work".
I was diagnosed with GAD. I worry about my health as well. I also have real health issues, I am a 27 year old female and I have female problems that will require surgery in the near future. I worry about my headache being a brain tumor and all sorts of stupid things that are not logical though I think them anyway. You are not alone, there are lots of us.
Carly
There are some boards dedicated solely to health anxiety out there, I frequent a couple of them. I don't think I can post the URLs on here, even though they are not commercial websites. Go search health anxiety board and you'll likely come across them. You'll see that there are many people who live relatively normal lives but have to deal with being worried about their health.
Last edited by CircusSquirrel; 07-26-2006 at 06:44 AM.
Hi, I too suffer from GAD, but the one thing I have come to understand and has helped me considerable is that most GAD suffers worry about everything. Like you mention, sharp or head pains, cancer..but it's not , only a plain ole headache. I finally got to the point where I was tired of thinking I was going to go insane, and a good friend of mine, helped me realize, I was over reacting considering I went to the doctors and they found nothing,(I found that going to the ER and everyone knows your name was quite embarrassing just anxiety. Today I lead a normal life, I do anything and everything I feel like. I am so grateful for not letting my mind take over and just assume I am have every sickness there is. You have to have faith, and I did and still do. I wake up everyday and excersise, and just relax. I found that I wasted more time worrying about every little thing, that it affected friendships, and relstionships. So I sort of grew up in a sense, and come to terms that I have anxiety/panic attacks, but I CAN CONTROL IT, and I am not going to let it control me! The mind is a very powerful tool, I just to learned how to use mine and put it at ease. I am healthy and will continue to be so.
Hi, I too suffer from GAD, but the one thing I have come to understand and has helped me considerable is that most GAD suffers worry about everything. Like you mention, sharp or head pains, cancer..but it's not , only a plain ole headache. I finally got to the point where I was tired of thinking I was going to go insane, and a good friend of mine, helped me realize, I was over reacting considering I went to the doctors and they found nothing,(I found that going to the ER and everyone knows your name was quite embarrassing
just anxiety. Today I lead a normal life, I do anything and everything I feel like. I am so grateful for not letting my mind take over and just assume I am have every sickness there is. You have to have faith, and I did and still do. I wake up everyday and excersise, and just relax. I found that I wasted more time worrying about every little thing, that it affected friendships, and relstionships. 
So I sort of grew up in a sense, and come to terms that I have anxiety/panic attacks, but I CAN CONTROL IT, and I am not going to let it control me! The mind is a very powerful tool, I just to learned how to use mine and put it at ease. I am healthy and will continue to be so. 
