[Anonymous]

Okay so after basically suffering my whole life (on and off) with constantly worrying about my health/worrying that i'm dying etc i have come to realize that i have health anxiety. I just wondered if anyone else out there relates to this in any way? Never met anyone who does!

Here is basically (briefly) how it has affected me personally, if anyone else has experienced it i would love to hear your story.

-Had a bit of a funny tummy/diarrhoea/going to the toilet lots (sorry if too much info) for a few weeks at a time that i was excessively worrying about college.. thought i had bowel cancer and literally convinced myself i had a massive tumor and was going to die.. eventually could take it no more so told my mum and just burst into tears.. never good to hold these things in! She talked sense into me and make me think rationally again.. symptoms stopped after that.

-After sleeping with my boyfriend for the first time without a condom even though he's been tested for stds etc, convinced myself i had hiv and - yet again - that i was going to die. Only because i read ages ago that you can get ill shortly after infection and i had a bad cough like 2 weeks after this (due to smoking lots - stressed out). Obviously totally irrational and ridiculous but at the time it was all i could think about.


-If i think of more examples i will add them, these are the two biggies however my health anxiety affects me in other ways e.g the moment i find a minor symptom e.g mild headache this leads to me googling it, and instead of being realistic about the cause, if i read the words 'brain tumor' anywhere.. then i instantly know i have it and am going to die.

-I also have very very mild Generalized Anxiety Disorder which only affects me sometimes, e.g overthinking situations, worrying obsessively ect which made me convince myself i was going to lose my mind and have some sort of breakdown! (never happened lol) I have not visited my gp about either of these as they don't affect me too badly day to day, i will if it worsens but i'm not too keen on medication.


If you have any similar experiences please share

[Anonymous]

Bump..

[G56]

So you have health anxiety and your a hypochondriac yet you smoke?
Lol.

[Anonymous]

Health anxiety and hypochondria are the same thing. Do you think that's what i wanted to hear when i wanted to share my story and talk to others about it? I cut down massively and now only smoke occasionally, or when i'm really stressed out.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by G56)
So you have health anxiety and your a hypochondriac yet you smoke?
Lol.

(forgot to quote you above)

Health anxiety and hypochondria are the same thing. Do you think that's what i wanted to hear when i wanted to share my story and talk to others about it? I cut down massively and now only smoke occasionally, or when i'm really stressed out.

[CasualSoul]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Okay so after basically suffering my whole life (on and off) with constantly worrying about my health/worrying that i'm dying etc i have come to realize that i have health anxiety. I just wondered if anyone else out there relates to this in any way? Never met anyone who does!

Here is basically (briefly) how it has affected me personally, if anyone else has experienced it i would love to hear your story.

-Had a bit of a funny tummy/diarrhoea/going to the toilet lots (sorry if too much info) for a few weeks at a time that i was excessively worrying about college.. thought i had bowel cancer and literally convinced myself i had a massive tumor and was going to die.. eventually could take it no more so told my mum and just burst into tears.. never good to hold these things in! She talked sense into me and make me think rationally again.. symptoms stopped after that.

-After sleeping with my boyfriend for the first time without a condom even though he's been tested for stds etc, convinced myself i had hiv and - yet again - that i was going to die. Only because i read ages ago that you can get ill shortly after infection and i had a bad cough like 2 weeks after this (due to smoking lots - stressed out). Obviously totally irrational and ridiculous but at the time it was all i could think about.


-If i think of more examples i will add them, these are the two biggies however my health anxiety affects me in other ways e.g the moment i find a minor symptom e.g mild headache this leads to me googling it, and instead of being realistic about the cause, if i read the words 'brain tumor' anywhere.. then i instantly know i have it and am going to die.

-I also have very very mild Generalized Anxiety Disorder which only affects me sometimes, e.g overthinking situations, worrying obsessively ect which made me convince myself i was going to lose my mind and have some sort of breakdown! (never happened lol) I have not visited my gp about either of these as they don't affect me too badly day to day, i will if it worsens but i'm not too keen on medication.


If you have any similar experiences please share

I don't have ealth anxiety but from what you're saying it seems as if yours itsn't really really servere, in other words, I'm sure there are many things you would be able to do to reduce the anxiety. I think the main thing is to have someone you can talk to. For example, you said that when you spoke to your mum she reassured you. It's really good if you have someone to share your worries with as you won't be bottling them up and driving yourself crazy.

Also, it's going to be really hard at first but you've got to STOP googling/ finding out about every symptom you have. Google is not a doctor and your not qualified to diagnose yourself. You also have to remember that there are many symptoms of a disease so just becaues you have a headache (one symptom of brain tumours..however you also need to remember many people with brain tumours don't have headaches) it doesn't necessarily mean you have a brain tumour. I think you just need to try and be rational about these things e.g. if you do have a headache it could just be that you are dehydrated. So if I were you I would try to never look up/research what could be wrong with you because you will never know for sure and you will just be making yourself worry. Instead, see a doctor if you are really worried.

Maybe, also try different types of relaxation ..and try to understand why you feel so scared about the concept of death..if I was you I would probably see a doctor and ask there advice on different things you can do,but make it clear that you don't want medication.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by CasualSoul)
I don't have ealth anxiety but from what you're saying it seems as if yours itsn't really really servere, in other words, I'm sure there are many things you would be able to do to reduce the anxiety. I think the main thing is to have someone you can talk to. For example, you said that when you spoke to your mum she reassured you. It's really good if you have someone to share your worries with as you won't be bottling them up and driving yourself crazy.

Also, it's going to be really hard at first but you've got to STOP googling/ finding out about every symptom you have. Google is not a doctor and your not qualified to diagnose yourself. You also have to remember that there are many symptoms of a disease so just becaues you have a headache (one symptom of brain tumours..however you also need to remember many people with brain tumours don't have headaches) it doesn't necessarily mean you have a brain tumour. I think you just need to try and be rational about these things e.g. if you do have a headache it could just be that you are dehydrated. So if I were you I would try to never look up/research what could be wrong with you because you will never know for sure and you will just be making yourself worry. Instead, see a doctor if you are really worried.

Maybe, also try different types of relaxation ..and try to understand why you feel so scared about the concept of death..if I was you I would probably see a doctor and ask there advice on different things you can do,but make it clear that you don't want medication.

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, i think i might go and see the doc soon if it continues, but i just forget to and like put it to the back of my mind because my periods of anxiety come randomly and it's not a constant thing. Thanks

[salty_candy]

I've had this I'd say most of my life too, my poor GP used to have to put up with me very frequently harassing him "is this a tumor?" "no that's a scar." "is THIS a tumor?" uh... that's your rib. "IS THIS A TUMOR?" No. that isn't anything

Anyway it got so bad during exam period, where all I could think about was that there was something wrong with me/ I was going to die. I was convinced I had mouth cancer, then I was convinced my tongue was swelling and my throat was closing up but everyone I asked said it was normal and fine, but I was so scared. then later that week, I heard a weird pop sound in my ear, went to feel my ear and was 100% convinced I was covered in blood, I could see it/feel it etc,but when I went downstairs, in tears, to show my brother I realised I'd imagined the entire thing. I didn't sleep much at all that week due to worrying about having diseases and dying, which I think probably contributed but it was ****ing scary.

I'm OK now though, and I had never had quite such an intense week with it before so I put it down to stress and lack of sleep. But I really do think you should maybe speak to someone about this before it gets worse.

(Also, I smoke too, so, we're both illogical crazies in that respect :P )

[Anonymous]

I have generalized anxiety disorder, which manifests as hypochondria a lot of the time.

I have worried about absolutely everything possible. From tuberculosis to marphans syndrome and every cancer and organ /disease failure I could think up. I have worried about them all.

The worst panic attack I ever had was after a few drinks on a nightout... and I became convinced my liver was failing from the alcohol. It sounds absolutely ridiculous but I swear I could feel it. It was just an extreme anxiety /paranoia attack and it was awful.

But I have to say, I am getting better. I think I was watching something on tv about disabilities/illnesses and I just realised... I'm fine. I really am. Yes something might happen in the future... but for the time being I'm in good health, I haven't been diagnosed with anything and I should make the most of it. Which includes not wasting my time worrying what might happen in the future.
I still have lapses of worrying senseless but I am much better at coping with it now.
There is a lot of self help advice for anxiety disorders online, it might be worth having a look. You could find some of it helpful

[daisydaffodil]

Yes - but it's part and parcel of the generalised anxiety disorder I have. Mine has unfortunately gone from health worrying to worrying over everything .. which is difficult but there is help available, particularly if you ask your GP or look online. Best to nip it in the bud now before it gets worse x

[Anonymous]

(Original post by salty_candy)
I've had this I'd say most of my life too, my poor GP used to have to put up with me very frequently harassing him "is this a tumor?" "no that's a scar." "is THIS a tumor?" uh... that's your rib. "IS THIS A TUMOR?" No. that isn't anything

Anyway it got so bad during exam period, where all I could think about was that there was something wrong with me/ I was going to die. I was convinced I had mouth cancer, then I was convinced my tongue was swelling and my throat was closing up but everyone I asked said it was normal and fine, but I was so scared. then later that week, I heard a weird pop sound in my ear, went to feel my ear and was 100% convinced I was covered in blood, I could see it/feel it etc,but when I went downstairs, in tears, to show my brother I realised I'd imagined the entire thing. I didn't sleep much at all that week due to worrying about having diseases and dying, which I think probably contributed but it was ****ing scary.

I'm OK now though, and I had never had quite such an intense week with it before so I put it down to stress and lack of sleep. But I really do think you should maybe speak to someone about this before it gets worse.

(Also, I smoke too, so, we're both illogical crazies in that respect :P )

Haha, it's good when you realize you're not alone! Strangely my health anxiety is a bit different in the sense that i never see the dr about it because i have this weird mindset that's like ohhh i'll just sit here and die.. and then after a while i just stop thinking about the cancer/whatever i 'have' lol. Thanks for your reply

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I have generalized anxiety disorder, which manifests as hypochondria a lot of the time.

I have worried about absolutely everything possible. From tuberculosis to marphans syndrome and every cancer and organ /disease failure I could think up. I have worried about them all.

The worst panic attack I ever had was after a few drinks on a nightout... and I became convinced my liver was failing from the alcohol. It sounds absolutely ridiculous but I swear I could feel it. It was just an extreme anxiety /paranoia attack and it was awful.

But I have to say, I am getting better. I think I was watching something on tv about disabilities/illnesses and I just realised... I'm fine. I really am. Yes something might happen in the future... but for the time being I'm in good health, I haven't been diagnosed with anything and I should make the most of it. Which includes not wasting my time worrying what might happen in the future.
I still have lapses of worrying senseless but I am much better at coping with it now.
There is a lot of self help advice for anxiety disorders online, it might be worth having a look. You could find some of it helpful

I can totally relate to what you just said. I will certainly have a look, i feel like mine is at a level where it can be controlled with the right thinking etc. Thanks for your reply

[Uniround2]

I can totally relate to this post! I feel for a couple of days that I really have the 'cancer' or whatever and then it suddenly hits me that I'm fine! I google symptoms and then that makes me even worse!! 😩


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Uniround2]

I can so relate to this!! It really takes over your life whilst you are going through an episode! 😩


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[kayleighb23]

hey..yeah I have health anxiety.I've suffered it for almost a year now. and it's soo bad at the moment. I can't get through a day without worryin. hence the fact am writtin this to keep my mind of it. health anxiety does the worst t hings to ur body. and Pepole that are like yehhh u will be fineed ignore them. they don't know what there talkin about they haven't experienced it. I know soo much about it. and I'm on the road of trying to get myself better. and study mental illnesses so I can help people in my situation. the best thing u could do is speak to some 1 u know with it. go to the docs. and get help from a counciller that's what they are there for. soo no need to b scared. and don't look up things on Google. it's defiantly now worth it. it will make worse.with health anxiety my symptoms I experience ever day are...feel like I constantly can't breath. then start to panic and actually can't breath.. to fix this breath through ur nose. hold for 4 seconds and then breath out tthrough your mouth.will take a couple of times to get the hang of it..my face goes numb.my hands fingers arms go numb as well. and get shooting pains up and down my left arm..my feet tingle.. I get this feeling thought my body like an electric shock. its weird..severe chest pains. honestly when soo much of these symptoms are happening at the same time u feel as thou ur going to die. its horrible. but it does pass. I suffer this ever minute of the day. ave constantly got to ask for reassurance and go to hospital and docs all the time. it's embarrassing. ave lost my job and everything through this. but go and get help it will make u better. they know what it's like and they can relate to u and help u x

Posted from TSR Mobile

[Anonymous]

I think I might also have health anxiety.
Recently, my anxiety has been focussed on Testicular Cancer due to some problems I recently had with my testicles.
I went to the doctors the first time, I got some antibiotics and was on my way. It didn't help so I was referred to a Urologist who treated me for Testicular Torsion after a physical exam and taking my testicles out of the scrotum to look at them (I was anesthetised thank god).
The pain has gone now, but it lasted several weeks after the op. Since then I have spoken to many different doctors, all of whom have told me I shouldn't be worrying.
I have privately arranged an ultrasound scan soon, which I hope will finally put my worries about this at least at rest.

Other ailments I have 'suffered' have been stroke, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and various other cancers.
There isn't a day that goes by in which I don't think 'I'm going to die very soon'.
I have a lot to look forward to this year (and even further in the future_, and it just feels like it's 'too good to be true' - for some reason I keep thinking it's all going to be taken away before anything good happens.

It's funny how every where I turn there is something to remind me of my 'illnesses', for example Lance Armstrong in the news (he had testicular cancer) and other stuff. I just can't seem to get away from it.

Anyway, now I am just looking forward to my US scan - The way I see it there are only really 2 outcomes:
1. The test comes back negative and I stop worrying about this, and hopefully my health for a while (more likely)
2. The test comes back positive and I can get treatment earlier than if I had just left it, increasing my chances of survival (less likely)
Either way, this test is a good thing.

One of the worst things, I think, is really wanting to go to the doctors all the time. I've no problem going, but I feel that I would probably be in there every week, and the doctors would start to see me as just a hypochondriac, and when there is something wrong with me, they will just palm it off as my hypochondria. Like the boy who cried wolf. The doctor's reassurance seems to be only temporary for me.
Also, I hate it when people tell me to 'get over it'. I wish to God I could get over it, and I could continue my life as normal, but it is much harder than that, and I've no idea where to start apart from making sure there is nothing medically wrong with me.

[kayleighb23]

hey. I totally understand where ur Cumming from I really do otaku awful. it's soo weird that the body does this to u. I also used to suffer from them when I was 13. but some how I gorgeous over them. and now at the age of 23 there back. and I can't think for the life of me what I done for them to go away. I've had to love back in with my mum and all sorts. do you get really bad chest pains. I have this every single day and it's awful. I've been for lots of Ecg scans. cat san. ultra sound. had my bloods took soo many times. I do suffer with bad acid reflux. but honestly see going through what I do and what all use do every day. it's a nightmare. some time I just think to my self is th err e any point in me been here. but I wouldn't do anything daft. or silly that's just been selfish. I know ur worrying about ur test results cummin back. I'm sure everything will be ok. and I know what I mean about ppl sayin it will be finee...ermm in ur eyes Mabey. ur not experiencing this everyday. try walking in my shoes. see how far u get then say that to me again lol..I do hope everythin goes ok with ur test. and you should go to the docs. tell the. u understand health anxiety u know that's what you've got and u want to get better. by going to one to one coucilling x

Posted from TSR Mobile

[kayleighb23]

sorry about spelling errors it's predictive text Lol

Posted from TSR Mobile

[Anonymous]

I feel your pain! I have general anxiety disorders amongst the other varied platter of mental health problems and it can be incredibly frightening. I also find that my disorder developed and is mainly triggered by health worries, the tinniest ailment and I'm sure I'm on deaths door. The main thing that you need to do (althought it may seem hard) is to not focus on it! THe minute you focus on whatever "illness" you are feeling is immedially magnifies it by a million percent, which in tern worsens your anxiety. I got myself into such a panic at one point from a simple stuffed nose (thought I wasn't able to breath) that I developed heart palpatations and passed out for several minutes. Get a book, speak to friends or family, watch a movie, go out for some fresh air- do something to get your mind off it.
Another very important thing that you must do from now on is STOP going online to look for causes, it is the worse thing to do. Both my parents are nurses are upon reading some of the articles on google said that they were talking out of their hole! A lot of the people on those sites get enjoyment out of scaring people and putting vulnerable people in a panic, so don't believe what you read and calm down.
Depending on how serious your condition is and/or how much it is affecting your day to day life I would recommend that you go to a doctor to even discuss medication, even in a small dose to begin with.
If you are still reluctant to go down the medicated route then why not go to a counsellor, I regularly saw one weekly for about 4/5 months for other reasons but he covered at home techniques to calming an anxiety attack and they work wonders!
One of the first things you can do to help is unload on a trusted family member or friend, tell them about the anxiety you are feeling and how is is affecting you, knowing that you have someone there to talk to who won't judge you and just listen has amazing affects.

[Anonymous]

I don't have health anxiety, but I've had times in the past where I was convinced I was going to die. However, it only comes in episodes, so I'll have one like once or twice a year and then I'm fine the rest of the time. The worst ones were when I got my BP taken at doctors - I'd heard that it can make you feel faint, and I've never fainted before so naturally I was quite scared about fainting. I worked myself up so much that I actually did faint and convulsed a bit because of anxiety. Also one time I got stun by a wasp for the first time, and I freaked out because I didn't know whether I was allergic or not, and obviously these types of allergies can be fatal. I kept thinking that I was going to die and then when I started to feel light headed it just reinforced my belief that I was allergic, and ending up passing out. They have been the only major ones though.

I think the thing to realise is that it gives a positive feedback effect - i.e. once you get anxious about you, you feel light headed and then you get more worked up. You have to remind yourself to try and stop it as soon as the anxiety attack starts to stop it getting worse. Try to list the things that make you feel better - talking about it to your mum seems to help, and maybe make a list of reasons why the thought is irrational to remind yourself that you're just freaking yourself out.