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Health Anxiety 2: The anxiety strikes back

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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.

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  • david48602
    david48602

    Posted

    Hey, guys! I am posting this to say that I saw my doctor today and she says I look and sound a lot better. The last time I saw her, bless her, I fell apart in front of her and probably gave her the scare of a lifetime. It sounds weird, but hearing that I look and sound better, it has almost given me a bit of a boost. When I am at my most anxious, I always get the impression that it reads on my face and that everyone can see it. So, it was nice to receive a compliment that I can carry with me for the rest of the day. Here's to progress, huh? smile
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