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I have extreme health anxiety and it's annoying my loved ones

Posted , 3 users are following.

tslk5972
tslk5972

I have had horrible health anxiety for over 5 years now. Every few years I become fixated on a new problem and spend hours and hours of research trying to convince myself I don't have it. It started with a fixation on a brain tumor, and then somehow morphed into sexual health. For years, I have been worried about genital herpes, unwanted pregnancy, other stds. I have been tested for herpes multiple times, yet still believe I somehow have it. I know that constant research on these types of problems only adds fuel to the unwanted fire, but it is a compulsion that I can't seem to get under control. And, friends/family don't want to hear me talk about it anymore either. I just don't know how to keep my intrusive thoughts at bay and am always thinking about all of the bad things that might happen to me.

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • CarlywithaC
    CarlywithaC tslk5972

    Posted

    i have serious health anxiety as well, made worse by actual health problems. i have learned that the internet is my enemy there, and there are many many different things that can cause different things to happen, ironically enough i have read anxiety is one of them. my advice would be to definitely steer clear of research unless you have an official diagnosis.

  • sampathkum83022
    sampathkum83022 tslk5972

    Posted

    I am suffering from severe health anxiety, generalised anxiety and adjustment disorder. I have actual health issues - Lost 21 kgs of weight in 6 weeks, Easophagitis, Gastritis and IBS. But i also have lot of other symptoms (High heart rate, dry eyes, ringing in ears, severe back ache, sleep apnea, focal sweating, dry throat, severely chapped lips, paresthesia, numbness and tingling). Various psychomotor reactions - Restlessness, wringing hands, grunting etc., etc., Now, i try working out if all these are related to one root problem and i keep going from one doctor to other. I refuse to take medications. I keep researching. It's affecting my work, social interactions, my confidence. All this said, i try doing diaphragmatic breathing exercises, Yoga for my GERD, Walk - not so consistently. Some symptoms come and go. I try reminding myself of bothersome physical symptoms that went off, and therefore others will possibly go too

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