Diagnosis of HA

[luc]

Hi all,

I have suffered from HA for 11 years now but have had inclines towards it since I can remember. I try to recall when I first heard the term HA. I diagnosed myself with HA 11 years ago and have always informed doctors that I have HA as they were usually playing catch - up. I'm not sure how long NMP has been around but I think it is from this sight that I first recognised what I had. I did go to a conference 10 years ago on HA that I think NMP were involved in - Nicola? anyone??.
I am interested as to How many of you have gone to the doctors to be told they have HA or have told the doctor they have HA? I am also interested to know if people have had CBT by someone who specialises in HA.

Would love to hear your experiences, Lucia.

[swanick15]

I was diagnosed with anxiety and Ibs, and I identified my anxiety as being HA after finding this site as well and I'm having CBT a therapist at the moment which is working on reducing my need for coping methods and letting go of irrational thoughts by stop self checking 5-6 times a day, a bit over the top we agreed!

[Junot]

I've been diagnosed with anxiety and panic disorder. I think I'm having health anxiety since I discovered this section of the forum, tbh.

[luc]

Thank you for your replies. I would love to know if anybody has actually sat in front of a GP to be told they have HA or dare I add any mental health practitioner. In my experience it was always me telling them. I can understand the general public being unaware and belittling this mental illness but in my experience mental health services and health services are still playing catch up and in some cases quite ignorant about HA.

---------- Post added at 16:25 ---------- Previous post was at 16:24 ----------

Just to add, of all the mental health practitioners I have seen, not one was aware of NMP.

[swanick15]

Thank you for your replies. I would love to know if anybody has actually sat in front of a GP to be told they have HA or dare I add any mental health practitioner. In my experience it was always me telling them. I can understand the general public being unaware and belittling this mental illness but in my experience mental health services and health services are still playing catch up and in some cases quite ignorant about HA.

---------- Post added at 16:25 ---------- Previous post was at 16:24 ----------

Just to add, of all the mental health practitioners I have seen, not one was aware of NMP.

I'm lucky my local nhs mental health team is aware of HA and I mentioned it in the initial phone consultation I had with my therapist and that's we've worked on.

[luc]

Thanks Aaron,

That is good to hear and great to here that the CBT is working. If you read my older posts you will see my coping strategies were all consuming and sometimes a little off the wall so we have all been there. I tried self CBT, CBT with a practitioner (of sorts) but at that time I was not ready to give there required commitment. I am a lot better now and am applying to do a specific post grad course in CBT.

---------- Post added at 17:57 ---------- Previous post was at 17:53 ----------

May I add CBT is not a miracle fix but if you have met a practitioner that you respect and feel comfortable with then give it your best shot. I probably sound as I am telling granny how to suck eggs!

[izzy'smum]

Hi,
Yes I was told it was Health Anxiety by my CBT lady... The doctor called it Morbid Health Anxiety.

I now realise that my mum had it as well but she was labelled a hypocondriac and it was just laughed off.

[luc]

Thanks Izzy's mum,

Wow your doctor even gave it a specific sub name. How are you finding the CBT ?.

[Primula]

I diagnosed myself with HA, after reading about it on the internet. Have had several therapists, who said they'd never worked with anyone with HA, which made me feel more of a freak. The therapist I have now is great, she knows her stuff, just hope it will work for me.