My health anxiety has flared for the last two months and I’m mentally drained. I kind of just need support from people who understand what this feels like.
I’m a 22 year old female that has been relatively healthy through most of my life . My health anxiety first started when I was 11, I’ve always suffered from bad migraines and with doctors never really taking it serious I turned to Dr Google(biggest mistake)and pretty much convinced myself I had a brain tumour . Since then I tend to get bad health anxiety in flare ups my main concerns being brain tumours , Lukiemia , lymphomaia , cervical cancer and now breast cancer . Almost a year ago I got a nipple piercing (another big mistake ) and long story short have been having issues since removing it while infected . In the beginning I had no concern as I knew this was related to my nipple piercing . How ever , a couple of weeks ago by best friend suddenly died from health issues even despite having tests and being told she was perfectly fine 5 days earlier . Since then my health anxiety has taken a turn for the worst and I am convinced I am dying . I spent hours crying over cervical cancer to my doctor who looked and said I’m completely fine . My nipple that was previously pierced developed a pus filled bump that kept coming back and now I am convinced I have breast cancer . My doctor was happy to refer me to a clinic even though they didn’t think it was necessary and now I am petrified about going . I’ve had a sore throat and now think I have lymphoma which was causing my infected nipple piercing all along . I’m sorry for the ramble but I’m sick and tired of being in this constant state of anxiety , somedays it’s so bad I’m constantly shaking because I’m anxious . I wake up in the night with a raving heart because my mind won’t rest . I feel so ashamed at myself for acting like this and constantly stressing my family with my worries . It’s getting so bad that I find it hard to concentrate at work as I’m constantly researching symptoms online . As soon as Work is done I just want to run home so I can cry , I recently moved out however have been staying at my mums because I know when I’m alone I seem to think about symptoms more. I know no one on here is a doctor , however one thing I’ve notived is that reading stories from people who have experienced this is so helpful . My family at home and close friends no of my health anxiety and have been my rock. But i know it’s just something they don’t fully understand , if anyone could share advice or just their own experience on how they deal with health anxiety that would be amazing. One of my big goals this year 2018 is to deal with this health anxiety !
I also struggle with health anxiety and know how debilitating it can be and how draining emotionally and physically. I have just Turned 30 and have three girls of my own to look after and some days find it hard to even look after myself because of this... it all started two years ago when I had burning sensations all down my left side and the doctors couldn't see anything wrong with me.. I would just worry myself sick about it thinking the worst.. they done all they're tests and even an MRI that came back clear so I thought I'd dealt with it and moved on even tho the burning just wouldn't go.. then I started having horrific stomach pain year later so more trips to the doctors and worrying like crazy.. but for some reason this time a felt like a just couldn't cope anymore.. had panic attacks thought it was something so serious as it wouldn't leave me.. more tests and the waiting made me so much more ill.. long story short it all came back clear again just stomach inflammation and was given tablets that took it away.. I'v never been right since.. this burning has came back and it's now in my face and am Getting myself sick with worry again... it's like my brain loves to torture me.. I can't seem to focus on anything else when I have a symptom.. I worry about my heart even tho doctors said it's perfectly fine as I've had ecg.. my blood pressure.. I worry about everything to do with health.. it's just not normal or healthy.. so yeah I totally get what your going through. Just wanted you to know your not alone... am hoping I can ride this out without having to make docs trip as going to the doctors makes me worse.. takes me ages to recover from it.. as I actually sit having panic attack waiting to be seen it's horrible.. I'd love not to suffer with this or anyone as its horrible...
Soon as my eyes open these days in the morning ..a rush of adrenaline hits me and my heart pounds.. this is making me so anxious
I've always been a worrier tho I can member being young and having panick attacks to do with my health.. if I took dizzy turn I'd have panic attack.. I can even remember being really young and my hair was falling out a lot and I thought that meant I was ill and dieing and having panic attacks then so this is something that deeps within me I think.. only comfort I find is my faith... I also watch meditation anxiety videos on YouTube.. sometimes find white noise at night helps me too.. like water falls or water running...
So sorry for my book.. just so you know your most definitely not alone..
Here's my short story to make you feel better. I'm a 16 year old female. I was obsessed with the fact I had heart problems. Was rushed to the er 3 times. Sinked into depression. Didn't go to school. Lost weight & interest. Finally saw a cardiologist & there was nothing wrong. Felt really stupid when i walked in the cardiologist office full of 65+ year olds, & for them to check my blood pressure & say it was perfect. Echos, stress test, blood test, xrays, holters, ekgs, nothing.
None of this started until i started Googling.
You have to refrain from any Googling. It's just not healthy. You look up headache & clearly it's a brain tumor & you should seek immediate medical attention. We're trained to think like hypochondriacs. Especially from commercials & Google. There was a study done on Google about it's health diagnosises. It only came up correct 34 percent of the time. So it's about 1/3 that your self diagnosing is correct.
Doctors go to school for a reason. Anyone can type anything on Google anytime. Don't believe it. See a doctor first.
Don't drive yourself crazy. Illness or not live your life to the fullest. A friend of mines gas lupus & if she even catches a stomach virus or the flu it can be life threatening. But she lives her life happy. That's all that matters. Forget the self checks, Googling, & worry. Distract yourself. Excersise. Read. Play video games. Go out. Eat healthy. Drink plenty water. Meditate. & Pray. You'll be okay. Fear is just a state of mind. Once you embrace your fear, eventually it will become bliss. You'll get tired of worrying about the same thing. Especially if you can't control it. I know it's debilitating, but stay strong. You'll be okay.
-"be strong, be courageous. for God is with you, wherever you go". ❤
Peace. Love. & Happiness.
Yea advertising on tv for drugs is crazy in the states. When I go home to visit, I forget about that and when I watch tv I don’t know how people cope! There has to be a link between health anxiety and the amount of pharmaceuticals that are shoved in your face to fix all of these horrendous conditions.
Im 23 year old male , my symtoms poped outbof the blue 1 day , just sittung at work and I had a panic attack , ling story short , I went to the ER twice were they performed an EKG were my heart showed 100 , my blood pressure was 100 aswell , but then that "what if " crept in , I sarted getting lots of phisical symtoms from heart palpilations to stomach aces and problems numb and sore arms muschle jolting , muschle tension , chest pain , rib cage tightness , Sleeping problems when I wake up I can feel myself being super anxios , I cant remeber the last time I had a good sleep , I still wasnt daignosed with anxiety but what else could it be ? Docter said he wanted some more test , I'll be returning today , so nervous and stressed , I even think sometimes its my heart , cancer , stroke , or ny bad Ilness , I constantly think that I'm gona Die soon , These symtoms are crazy , plus the attacks dont make it any easier , I woke up this morning with a massive tighness and tension and pain in my right ahoulder down to right arm , And started stressing real fast about it , Its crazy to feel this way , But we must have faith we must carry on , we control our body and our minds , not them us , Its scary , cause even the dark whole of depression started sinking in now , but Like I said I'm still alive and I'll fight for the ones I love
Hi heather , thanks for sharing that with me I can only imagine how hard it can get sometimes especially when you have to be strong for your little girls. That’s exactly how I am when I have no symptoms I’m okay but the minute something comes up it just sends you into this spiral and one thing leads to another . I also find going to the doctors very unsettling because as much as you want to go so you can be reassured your fine your scared that it will be the opposite . I will definately look into meditation videos , I’m also trying to be referred to therapy so hopefully they both help as I’m quite against the medicine route . Thankyou again for sharing your story with me and I hope your battle with health anxiety also becomes easier x
Hi Jessica , thanks for sharing that with me I to also lost interest in everything I once used to love. I’ve always been a social person but as soon as the anxiety kicks in it’s like the only thing you want to do is be alone left to your thoughts. I agree google is honestly the worst especially for us suffers from health anxiety it just feeds our worries . I can’t wait to overcome this rough patch and just get back to my normal self. Thankyou again God bless you x
Hi Tanya , this is very true even in the UK , anytime you pick up the paper you’ll just stumble across a story that sends your mind into overdrive. Even though doctors always say oh your too young or that’s unlikely , when you read or hear these stories you think that could easily be me. I guess we just have to learn to relax and not think the worst scenario x
Your welcome hope you get some relief with this and find ways to keep it away 
Absolutely no problem. God bless you as well. I wish you the best & hope you find relief from this ❤
Hi Jacques I hope your doing much better , I really can relate to how you feel. Right now as we speak I’m struggling , my anxiety over breast and cervical cancer has come back full force . I don’t want to do anything apart from lie down as I’ve already convinced myself I’m dying and so there’s no point doing anything . Doing tests are the worst feeling because the wait is horrific and the feeling that we do have something is very real. Normally when I get like this I also wake up extreamly anxious a total wreck really aha , I woke up today and the thought of dying came in my head and completely sent me into a panicky episode . Like you said we must have faith , I just want to get back to being the person I once knew , happy ,looked forward to things . Not this person that cries , constantly looking up symptoms , constantly checking my body for symptoms . I will pray for us all that one day we overcome this , please let me know how you get on x
You know what ita true , Mindfullness is a blessing , the breathing excercises help , but it just makes you tire to have to keep bust , but I,m on meds now And still have to wait for the test to be done , The bad thing was is that I was on holiday leave , and tommorow I need to be back at work ,but I'm preparring myself , I know I can do it even if I get depress or have pain ,it doesnt help us to lie and wait for the worse , " The saying is live your life everyday like its your last , so I wane live , this will not break me , and if ita my time , to go , its out of my hands , We just need to learn how to put up with the pain and emotions along with it , my stuggle at the moment is breathing and chest pain and heart palpilations all day long but y know what , I can still smile , FAITH GOES A LONG WAY
Yes I agree , I’m meant to be starting yoga classes soon as I’m looking for alternative methods to help me relax. You might actually find being at work might actually help as it can act as a distraction I’ve had a few moments at work where I did just have to excuse myself and take a breath outside , but I guess trying to continue with normal routine can help get things back to normal. I think with health anxiety suffereds especially us young ones it’s not that we’re necessarily afraid of death as we all know that’s just a part of life. But it’s more based on dying young and not getting to enjoy life to the fullest. As you said though live everyday like it’s your last we have a long life to live and many experiences to enjoy there are going to be many bumps along the way but if we can slowly start to deal with them now we will be ready for whatever life throws at us. Also when I had breathing issues what I drink is green and ginger tea once in the morning once at night, it weirdly seems to relax me even if it’s for a hour or so , have a try x
A few months ago I drove myself crazy thinking that I had gum disease. I looked at my teeth in the mirror everyday and felt uncomfortable with my tongue in my mouth.
I went to multiple dentists who say that there is nothing wrong with my teeth but I still worry about it.
Hi panic puppy , I hope your doing well , that’s one thing with us health anxiety suffers no matter how many tests we have we still don’t believe them. I had my cervix checked and they said it looks fine however I’m back to believing something is wrong . I also had a clear breast ultrasound but still believe something was missed. As a result I’m going back to my doctor . It really is frustrating because most people would be at ease just from a doctor saying oh your fine , but with us tests don’t even confirm that. I do believe though if you’ve had multiple dentists have a look your more then fine but if it means having one more check just to put your mind at ease then do whatever will make you feel at ease . But at some point we have to stop this viscous cycle and try to live peaceful lives x
ao I have been atruggling wuth reathi g and heart palpilations for 24/7 constantly now , And I just was chating to family becuase we are ha ing a birthday oarty for my aunt , I felt tired coming here atruggling with breath an palpilations , I then ate and started feeling nuasues , it went away and I started talking with everyody and I stood up and started s.okig and I suddenly got this big pai i the middle of my chest , it did calm down now a bit but I still feel the pain there , doea anyone else experience this