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How to overcome hypochondria?

Posted , 6 users are following.

alex08877
alex08877

I’m not even sure if it’s hypochondria that’s the issue, but I’ve been struggling with anxiety lately.

Usually a couple times a day, I’ll have a random strange feeling or a very short dull ache somewhere in my body. This causes me to become very anxious, that there’s something wrong with me. I usually end up googling my symptoms (I haven’t been able to find any disease or anything that I may have, which just scares me more). When I fall into these anxious moods, I start to worry that I’m going to die any day now. But now that I type this out I’m starting to realise how crazy it sounds. Ugh. I’m a mess.

I have tried to talk to a couple of my friends about this, but they just sort of laugh it off and change the subject.

I try to convince myself that the only reason I worry myself like this is because I’m just over sensitive to my body and everything it feels.

I don’t want to see a doctor, unless I have to. I feel so stupid about all of this.

What are you’re tips for de stressing and relaxing? Or should I go to a doctor to see if I do have a sickness? 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • rieez
    rieez alex08877

    Posted

    I hv the same dilemma. I also hv health anxiety. Every tiny ache makes me worry so much. Often ended up in Dr office only to be told that i'm just stressed or i hv gastric. Right now i hv ache in my rib and it's been few days now but i'm afraid to go to Dr cz i'm thinking the worst. I started to do exercise now. Hope it's getting better.

    • 2731
      2731 rieez

      Posted

      Finding a hobby is a sure start to try and occupy your mind and prevent the worry!

      Another thing to try is the worry pie chart which I mentioned in my comment reply to this discussion below! If you'd like any more tips then I'd be happy to help.

      I have been struggling with hypochondria for a long time, but for the past year and a half it has been manageable. I still have the odd bad day, but it's controllable.

    • rieez
      rieez 2731

      Posted

      I like designing but now sitting in front of computer scares me because usualy the i get the anxiety when doing something in my computer.I did write my symptoms in my journal. The things that makes me worry a lot is this symptoms always shows when i'm about to sleep or when i sleep. The ache somehow getting bad and woke me up with racing heart and shaking. I even now hv to change my sleep position to the other side of my bed cz i'm quite traumatic sleeping in my usual side befause my anxiety. I need to get some rest. 😫

    • alex08877
      alex08877 2731

      Posted

      I have tried picking up hobbies! I find that my worst anxiety is when I’m bored, doing nothing - usually when I’m standing around doing nothing/when it’s super slow. Thank you for your help ❤️
  • 2731
    2731 alex08877

    Posted

    Tip one is do not ever Google symptoms, you'll find something bad, obsess over it and make yourself ill with worry!

    Also when you feel these things, try a worry pie chart. So say you have a pain in your chest. List every single thing that it could possibly be (that you can think of) then allocate them a "slice" of the pie chart depending on how likely it is. It puts your thoughts into a picture that show you're thinking irrationally and that the likelihood of that chest pain being say a heart attack, is very slim.

    I also used to write about how I was feeling and what I was experiencing as a symptom that day. Writing it out was a way to remove the worry and I would then tell myself I would come back to those worries and try to sort them later. I'd sort them into categories of what I could and couldn't change. Those that I could I would try to, make a plan to. Those that I couldn't would be "thrown away" and there is no use worrying about something you have no control over

    • alex08877
      alex08877 2731

      Posted

      Yeah, I’ve tried to stop googling my symptoms. It’s just so tempting when I get those intrusive thoughts that I start getting worried that I’m going to die or something. 

      I’ll have to look into that journaling thing, thank you.

  • john53416
    john53416 alex08877

    Posted

    Alex yes go see your doctor don't worry he or she will understand because your friends don't listen they just don't understand pls go to doctors this happens to a lot of people you be fine good luck to you 

  • lynsey72874
    lynsey72874 alex08877

    Posted

    Hi Alex, go and see your doctor. I suffered with health anxiety and believe me, they’ve heard it all before. Sounds like you have become hyper vigilant to your body’s sensations. I had CBT which helped me to realise that I was being irrational. Friends and family will always have their own opinions on what’s happening to you, which is why it’s best to talk to someone like your doctor who will treat you impartially. Think about what may have triggered this by thinking about whether anything happened around that time in your life. Family illness, relationship problems? Mine was a friends illness. I’ve been reading and replying to a lot of posts today so I know you are not alone. Read other people’s posts and you’ll see the common themes occurring.
    • alex08877
      alex08877 lynsey72874

      Posted

      I just feel so stupid going to a doctor about this, you know? I’ve had to go to the doctor about mental issues in the past but the answer has always been “there’s nothing wrong”.

      Ever since reading this reply, I’ve tried thinking of why I’m so scared or why I have this fear. No one in my family has died. But I am super scared of getting sick. The idea of me missing work or being home sick terrifies me. Another reason is, long time ago my old friend and I were talking about this. She too had horrible hypochondria (it was long before i developed the fear). I remember her telling me “it’s statisics. no one in my house has died or gotten horribly sick. it must be me that will be.” and that thought has always stuck with me. 

       

    • lynsey72874
      lynsey72874 alex08877

      Posted

      I know you feel stupid but I also know that doesn’t stop the thoughts. Your mind isn’t able to rationalise the situation. Be totally honest with your doctor and ask for advice or a referral for CBT. Although I have anxiety about a lot of things it really did help with my health anxiety. Other tip, stay away from the internet. Anxiety can cause many different physical symptoms that can be mistaken for something else. Having mental health issues doesn’t make you any less of a person and the fact that you have joined this forum shows you have courage. Be kind to yourself.
  • paul36323
    paul36323 alex08877

    Posted

    Some days it is just too much. See a health professional, don't drink alcohol and get excercise. These are the only bits of advice I have. You arnt suffering alone. Enjoy the good days.

    • alex08877
      alex08877 paul36323

      Posted

      I would enjoy the good days if I had any. It seems like everyday I get anxiety out of nowhere about being sick. I don’t drink alcohol, I’m underage. And I’ve tried exercising but it’s kind of hard since I work so often. But thank you for your support ❤️
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