Health anxiety is taking over my life

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Hi all, newbie here; bear with me for the long post.

Id previously suffered extreme health anxiety for over 10 years - further worsened by watching my Dad pass away from a stroke at just 55.

I underwent a brilliant CBT programme through work that literally transformed my life; panic attacks gone etc.

However, its come back a vengence; always does when I am "symptomatic". This started out with an aura migraine, a tension like headache that has persisted for 3 weeks, pins and needles and burning in my left hand, now pins and needles in my right foot.

I cant get hold of my GP, Im crying daily, I dont want to be around people as I dont feel good enough, my back and shoulders are like iron, and I am petrified that at 35, I will go the same way as my Dad.

I should add in the weeks preceeding this, I was made redundant, and went through a 3-4 week period of uncertainty, gruelling interviews, and very low self worth.

Any advice greatly appreciated - I BCant carry on every day like this; especially when I start my new job in just over a week

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  • Edited

    I’m so sorry. I have suffered with the same thing since childhood and I am in my 60s! Not consistent sensations but they become prevalent when I am under stress. I’m sure a lot of what you’re going through has a lot to do with the uncertainty you had with low self-esteem, etc. All of that registers in the brain and it comes out as those crazy sensations. Keep in mind that any sensations you get from anxiety are not harmful even though I know how scary they can feel. i’ve had the migraines, pins and needles, I’ve had eye floaters, weakness, you name it I had it.

    If you take care of your health with proper diet, exercise, etc. you won’t have to worry so much about having what your dad went through. These sensations we get with anxiety and stress. Have nothing to do with stroke. My dad also had a stroke, in 07.

    Have you ever considered speaking with a counselor? I do that virtually, and it works great. It really helps to vent to somebody who can help.

    keep trying to get a hold of your doctor. Also, I have found that it really helps to relax my mind as much as possible. The more you worry the more you’re going to have the sensations! That’s because we are telling our brains that something is wrong, even though nothing is really wrong physically. But the brain will put out adrenaline anyway. What I do is twice a day. I stop everything and lay down and listen to meditations for anxiety. It’s important to calm down the brain! You will get the help that you need. Take one day at a time.

    it might be difficult but it’s also important to turn the thoughts around from those of fear which are not based on reality, to more positive thinking. Feel free to private message me anytime! I have some good resources online. That have helped me a lot. Take care of yourself you’re gonna be fine.

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