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Serious Health Anxiety

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Hakkentosh
Hakkentosh

Hi everyone.

So to cut to the chase, I've suffered with GAD and Panic Disorder since I was 15 years old and tend to oberthink everything and anything I could see as a potential threat to my life. The biggest example of this is my own health.

I have problems with my sinuses that cause bad Tension Headaches at the same time, and in extreme cases, brain fog. This makes me feel like I can't properly gather my thoughts, but realistically the only things that are affected are my short-term memory, and my attention span. I'm still able to do my job but it genuinely feels like someone has cut my mind off from the rest of my body - I hope that makes sense.

I always worry about the worst case scenarios, like anyone with Health Anxiety would, and I find it has that much of an effect that it stops me from wanting to sleep at night in fear that I don't wake up the next morning. Being 27 there's a lot I still want to accomplish and I fear that I'll never get to enjoy retirement.

It's all very extreme, and right now my anxiety comes in waves from day to day. My girlfriend is very good at bringing me back down to earth, as are my parents, but I find myself constantly asking people if they've ever experienced the same symptoms, and when they confirm they have, I often start asking myself if they truly know what I'm talking about or just lying so I stop worrying.

So how do I deal with this anxiety of mine? It's been 12 years of this suffering and I can't cope with it any longer. I know the odds of me being seriously ill are slimmer than a Russian model, but I always find myself panicking because I've found a new, sharp, short lasting pain in my ankle, or some other stupid, insignificant symptom.

Honestly I just want to live my life and stop letting my thoughts run away to the end of the world.

Thanks everyone, Merry Christmas

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1 Reply

  • jan34534
    jan34534 Hakkentosh

    Edited

    I can definitely relate to you. And yes I know exactly how it feels. I’ve been dealing with this for a very long time and I am much older than you. I know a lot about anxiety and the physical symptoms it can produce as well as the issues of the mind.

    One thing I wanted you to know is that anxiety absolutely cannot hurt you physically even though it might seem like that. If it could hurt us, I would’ve been gone a long time ago.

    i’ve had the brain fog, the

    de realization, confusion, any physical symptoms you can think of relating to anxiety, etc.

    I looked for constant reassurance but I would always keep looking for it which is exhausting.

    also there are millions of people who have the same sensations and symptoms that you have. It’s all over the world. anxiety is the number one mental health issue and the number one reason why people see a counselor. you are definitely not alone. But it doesn’t kill anybody. The main symptoms even the brain fog etc. is due to a release of adrenaline.

    I also find that the more I worry about it the worse it gets. That’s because I was telling my brain through the worry that something is wrong. So the brain responds by ordering up more adrenaline for the fight or flight response.

    it’s really important to learn proper breathing for anxiety. You can find that on YouTube.

    I would also suggest having regular sessions with a counselor who can help you manage this. Better management makes a person feel so much better.

    our thoughts can really do a number on us unless we have more control of them.

    take one day at a time. you will be OK. feel free to private message me anytime!

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