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Health Anxiety 2: The anxiety strikes back

Posted , 3 users are following.

david48602
david48602

Hey, everyone! It's me, again! I guess, in a way, I am typing this, not only in an attempt to get through to myself, but in the hope that some of you might be able to get through to me. Recently, I have developed health anxiety; I have all the symptoms and mannerisms of a hypochrondriac, and it absolutely sucks.

At the moment, I have been having (or believe I have been having) these weird feelings in my head. There are times where I feel my sinuses are behaving strangely, and that it is difficult for me to breathe through my nose. Other times my head feels quite tense, quite tight - I'm sorry if I am describing this horribly, I'm just trying to get across that what I'm feeling isn't pain. It feels like... I dunno, like the skin on my head is on too tight... there is also an area on top of my head that I am continuously aware of. Now, my head is shaved, so I am able to run my hand over my head, and I can't find any area that's sensitive or feels any different than any other part of my head, and yet I keep believing that there is this one small part that feels different (I must sound like a looney toon, I swear, lol)

Now, despite not experiencing a single headache, a single seizure, or a single bout of nausea, I find myself worrying that I might have a brain tumor. It's awful, it's scary - I looked up a statistic that says that primary brain tumors affect 22 in every 100,000 people, yet still I am frightened, anxious, and on edge. It's just a terrible feeling.

I am currently on a waiting list for CBT therapy, so I'm hoping that helps. It's just horrible because I was never anxious where my health is concerned, and suddenly it's consuming my every waking moment. I know I'm just being silly, and that I should stop thinking about such worrying things, but sometimes it's easier said than done.

1 like, 18 replies

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  • lisalisa67
    lisalisa67 david48602

    Posted

    The tightness is tension and very very common. Uncomfortable and feels strange but its muscle tension. Anxiety related. I hate the term and label hypocondria because it is more of a self preservation thing for people with high amxiety levels. Ifmyou dont feel well most of the time its natural to tey and figure it out. Clearly anxiety still is mocked and stigmatized by others but its extremly real and horrible.its a mal function in the brain, not a tumor or anything evident based (at this time because science hasnt narrowed it down to an evident based issue). So dont beat yourself up what else you suppose to think when all these weird stmptoms are happening. Its human nature. Saying that DO NOT GOOGLE AILMENTS you are googling wrong amd most likely defunct websites. They all stink unless you have a passcode to the ones the professionals use. You sound like you have a bad tension situation occuring. Are you on any medicine for anxiety? Do you have allergies? Abt is helpful it isnt a cure, its ways to manage yourself. You can google cbt, mindful breathing and read up before you go. A nice head massage might feel good or a real message if you can access one. Relieves the tension.
    • david48602
      david48602 lisalisa67

      Posted

      I'm on mirtazapine for anxiety, and it's great because it helps me sleep. I still feel ever so slightly anxious from time to time, but nowhere near the state I used to get myself into. It used to be I was inconsolable; I'd cry, I'd freak out, I'd have panic attacks and struggle to breathe. So I think the mirtazapine has helped a great deal in that sense.

      Thank you for reassuring me, Lisa; and I agree with you that my cautiousness stems from self preservation. I often feel like whatever I think is occuring in my body I am trying to catch it early so as to have it dealt with. Googling is something I really need to stop, I know. I do it all the freaking time, and it never brings me anything but worry.

  • Guest
    Guest david48602

    Posted

    have you thought about getting an MRI?

    Once they tell you that you have nothing definitevely, then you can maybe move on, right?

    • david48602
      david48602 Guest

      Posted

      I'm in the UK; I don't think it's as simple as asking for an MRI and then getting one. Our health care is free, which means there's waiting lists, and sometimes you don't get recommended for things if the doctor doesn't feel you need one. I suppose I could ask, but I have a funny feeling I know what the answer would be.
    • Guest
      Guest david48602

      Posted

      Ask and really insist, it's worth a shot, right?
    • Guest
      Guest david48602

      Posted

      Ask your doctor then and keep us posted.

      If you need anything at all, post on here or feel free to send me a PM.

      You are not alone.

      You can beat this.

      All the best and good luck!

    • david48602
      david48602 Guest

      Posted

      Thank you, JP. smile I just have to believe in myself. I can beat this.
    • lisalisa67
      lisalisa67 david48602

      Posted

      Can you get referred to an opthamologist. Its an md eye doctor. A full eye exam and get eyes dilated. They can see things if anythings up they would know. Tell them the head stuff.  They can send you for an mri if they ever thought it was needed.
  • richard89308
    richard89308 david48602

    Posted

    cbt should be a help to you as can this forum.  Try not to read too much into stats 22 is a very small number in 100 000 so don't worry its like 2.2 in10 000 or 0.22 in a 1000 which is a fifth of a person!  If you must look up illnesses try and be objective and not personalise it because you will suffer for it.

    all the best

    richard

    • david48602
      david48602 richard89308

      Posted

      I am looking into CBT, Richard, and honestly I cannot wait to get started. I would start today if I could. It's just that sometimes not thinking about these things is easier said than done.
  • tonia_2003
    tonia_2003 david48602

    Posted

    My ex sister in law had a brain tumor. She had really bad headaches and other issues. I doubt you have a brain tumor. Her's turned out to be benign, but they had to do surgery on her to remove it because of where it was and she had to learn how to walk, talk and several other things. She still has chronic headaches and some neurological issues. She was an RN and now she can't work anymore.
    • david48602
      david48602 tonia_2003

      Posted

      I know I don't, but there are times, due to health anxiety, I worry that I might. It's not something I choose to dwell on, it's something I can't help but dwell on. 
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