Bronchitis....Increased Anxiety:(

Posted , 5 users are following.

I saw the doctor on Tuesday because the cold I had was getting worse (seemed to be settling in my chest)...he examined me, ruled out pneumonia, and diagnosed bronchitis...my vital signs were all very normal and no fever...all good news, right? I've had bronchitis before and have no reason to be anxious about it....but here I am, in full-blown health anxiety state....I had made such good progress and am so frustrated that I'm back to thinking that this illness must be something more sinister...I've even googled my symptoms which I haven't done in a long time....I just feel so tired and "off"...does anyone else find that their anxiety comes back or gets worse when they're sick? I'm sure I'm just exhausted, but I can't get myself settled down enough to sleep....ugh. sad

3 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Yes I know how you feel. I am a sufferer of this awful anxiety and its crippling at times. I am due to have a hip replacement, but might have to delay this as my poor Husband has pleurisy!! This could lead to other things. So I am worried about him. Hes upset about me and all in all we are not doing too well. We have no family as such as they are all too wrapped up in their own lives. But My advise to you is to take a day at a time, rest plenty of warm drinks, get a reflexologist . Regards amandah
  • Posted

    I have anxiety/depression & yes a lot if people get like this you are not alone.. I hate when I get sick or my kids because it scares me.. I recently had a really bad sinus infection & finally after coughing up thick green mucous went to see a doctor and he said it didn't sound like pneumonia so I started on my meds but kept googling pneumonia signs .. Since you have anxiety there's certainly a lot of things that can trigger it & one of mine is getting sick.. It's crazy how our minds can think but the worst thing you can do is Google! I'm the same way tho but just take your meds & you'll b ok.. When you finish your meds & feel better you'll feel way better also & realize it was your anxiety that way next time you get sick you'll know.. Ok I went through this before & it was my anxiety
  • Posted

    Hi Kitty. Yes, I feel more anxious when I have a bug etc. This comes, I think from wanting to be in control all the time (of my body) so that anxiety doesn't 'get me'. We are alert and 'on the watch' all the time for any symptoms, fearing our anxiety. We're not very relaxed about it! I tell myself a good mantra which I got from a doctor.

    'The symptoms of anxiety are uncomfortable but not dangerous.' Anxiety is not dangerous in any shape or form but we think it is! It isn't, it is uncomfortable, that's all. Try to remind yourself of this. I found it helps a lot. All our fantasys about being ill or having some terrible disease are not true! They are just anxious thoughts that go with the whole package. It tries to convince you that there is 'something wrong with you' when there isn't. So when we get a little cold or anything (like bronchitis) that makes us feel there is 'something wrong with us' the anxiety escalates this into catastrophic proportions. Remind yourself that it is just anxiety and cannot harm you in any way. You are just feeling grotty from having bronchitis. It will pass and you will be OK. Love x

  • Posted

    Oh yes! Sickness bumps up anxiety big time.  We are people who are very aware of our bodies to begin with, so discomfort or breathing issues will without a doubt increase to panic attacks. Try and keep your mind from feeding into your bodies symptoms and kind of observe them without adding negative thoughts and this should calm them down. Antibiotics also do not help anxiety and be sure to hydrate well. Feel better soon and it all will oass just as it has in the past. 

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