Healthcare Workers with HA?

[crazydr]

I am embarrassed to say, but I am a physician (a specialist let alone) with significant issues recently with health anxiety related to persistent undiagnosed symptoms. I have worked in an environment for the last 10 years where patients die not infrequently and often prematurely. While anxiety has in some way been a part of my life since I was a kid, I have never had a severe bout of health anxiety until the last three months. In many ways I have a great life. A good job and a loving wife and family. I am not sure what set me off so badly this time, but I have been reading this forum for weeks. As you might imagine someone in my position has access to every test imaginable (and I have had most) and specialists (many of whom are my friends). But at the same time it is difficult to have a "normal" doctor - patient relationship. I think compared to most others with HA, physicians are harder to reassure because they have seen all of the "false negative" tests and in their minds they can create more "real" diagnoses. I know that there are others out there like myself, but most hide it or are afraid to come forward. I have seen a therapist and am on an SSRI. I think side effects are worse than benefits so far but I'm my own worst judge. I make all the mistakes that everyone else does and worse (googling, medical journals, going to doctors). I just thought I'd reach out to see if there were others like me to see if we could support each other.

[Ats666]

Hi, welcome. Yes I am just like you, but am a nurse with HA. I have coped well for 10 years but had a massive relapse beginning September last year. Really thought I was going to breakdown, but I carried on and am getting there very slowly. I don't know what triggered this relapse, can only put it down to work. So no you are not alone being a health professional with HA :hugs:

[nomoreworries25]

Hello, it's very brave of you to come forward and express your H/A like the rest of us, I can only imagine it must be all the more tormenting for yourself in such a job where you have access to many tests know a lot about diagnoses and must be hard to shut yourself off from it. It also makes me feel a tiny bit better knowing that it really can effect anyone ( not that that's a good thing for yourself) and interesting to hear that you even google. Trouble with HA is filling yourself with extra knowledge of what if possibilities, and if you alread know/ experience the what ifs first hand even harder.
Am not in health field but tis a great forum for supporting one another x

[xvolatileheart]

Hi there, crazydr. I work in healthcare and am in the process of applying to medical school. I have always been interested in medicine. Since developing severe panic disorder/health anxiety over the last year, it has reconfirmed my desire to become a doctor so that I can have access to all of the tests and specialists. I know it's an awful reason to want to go into it, but I would feel so much better if I could rule things out. As it is, my GP practice will not do much for me because they instantly write me off as just having anxiety. I suppose that I come across as a perfectly healthy 24-year-old so they see no reason to refer me for further testing, but it really sucks! I just want that reassurance.

I'm sure you know, however, that health anxiety is often fueled rather than alleviated by testing. Once you rule one thing out, your brain goes on to the next thing. The only way to truly help is to deal with the mental aspect of the illness which is much harder. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by seeing a therapist and starting on medication. Not sure how long you've been on the medication, but they can take quite a few weeks to kick in and often times the side effects are worse than the benefits in the beginning. Don't be afraid to talk to other doctors about your worries. You may find that others also suffer from your worries!

All the best to you.

[mrs way to worried]

i recently read that its a really high percentage of healthcare professionals suffer health anxiety im sure u are not alone very brave for coming forward xx

[spacebunnyx]

Hi, I'm a Dr but a scientist not a medical one. I think its great that you acknowledge your health anxiety and are open to talking about it. One of my parents is a medical doctor (a consultant in intensive care). When I was growing up my parents had HA about me... and I was taken to see specialists about various (benign) things and I was exposed to conversations about death and illness that I perhaps shouldn't have been. Surprise, surprise I now have terrible health anxiety. I do believe that my parent has has a "worst case scenario" mentality and likes to medicalise everything.. perhaps to give them control over life (and death)..although they would never accept they have HA or any kind of issue.

I hope you find some way to cope with your anxiety.

xxx

[skyisblue]

Hello, everyone.

I almost stepped into the world of medicine just a few months before my HA started. I think it was a lucky move for me since I cannot utterly imagine studying medicine with HA!

I salute you all who are suffering HA and are in the health care industry. Stay strong!