I have health anxiety and am currently doing CBT. as strange as it sounds part of me is scared to NOT have health anxiety and not google, body scan etc in case I miss something serious. I'm considering anxiety meds (I was on sertraline a long time ago). but im scared in case A. it gives me more side effects that i attribute to being ill B. it affects my sex life with my partner and C. it makes me more tired or anxious (im already sleep deprived with a 1yo and 2yo and living alone) these things considered, from your experience would you recommend it and if so which is the most effective? thanks!!
as somebody who has had health anxiety her entire life, take it from me, it’s much better to not have health anxiety!
There’s nothing you are going to miss by not googling in fact, googling will not give you your own specific diagnosis but you will believe that you have a serious illness even if you don’t. It actually increases anxiety to google symptoms .
having Health anxiety is actually a false sense of security for many people they figure if they think hard enough they will come up with their own diagnosis and if they constantly check for lumps and bumps they will find something. It’s just not worth the stress. Instead, think about getting a complete physical exam one time a year. If you are young and relatively healthy, that’s all you need. Then get on with your life and enjoy it because it goes by fast.
just try a medication that your doctor recommends. Forget about side effects and don’t even read them. Don’t think about the things that are concerning you regarding medication that you listed. Just try the medication and some of them take 4 to 6 weeks to start working. If that one doesn’t work you can try another one. Medications work differently for everybody so there’s not one or two that are recommended for you you just have to try them. Take care
I tried a handful and got side effects. I get a rash every time about a week after I start taking them. I was trying prozac and honestly was feeling less anxious toward the end of the week but the rash came back. So my doc has kept me on Buspar which has much less side effects and no sexual side effects. But, I don’t think it’s as effective but probably better than nothing.
I have hydroxzine and ativan for more acute needs.
I say give it a shot and see how you feel.
@Charcohen1993
It is reasonable to say that just about any medication has side effects … The question is always the same, “Is the cure worse than the illness?”
As myself I take 30+ differing tablets a day + 2 injections (and have for a decade+ now) I know this conundrum all too well. Personally I do not question what is prescribed, I have high quality advice from professionals and do not try to second guess their professionalism.
People who have anxiety have it for a reason, quite probably it is more from nurture than nature … In other words during childhood anxiety is acquired from the behaviours of parents/siblings/family most likely. Have you looked into your possible drives? Looked at your childhood and the influences contained within it? Identified specifically what pushes you in this direction of health anxiety?
In reality asking random internet people what they think is of little practical use, you need to discuss your issues with your health advisors … Anxiety is helped by thinking less and attracting less information to mull over … Ask the right people once, i.e your health providers … Then do as advised.
Good fortune you.