How do you stop yourself requesting tests?

[Rosie2]

We are constantly bombarded by the media to go to the doctor and get tests done if we have certain symptoms, which is great if you don't suffer from HA - every time I see one of those damn advertisements it puts me into a complete state of panic. I am so over sensitive to every symptom I have (headache, nausea ect) that I always seem to have a voice in my head telling me that I need to go to the doctor and get referred to a specialist ASAP or I'll die. :unsure:

I know that with HA it can make you go to the doctors alot, but I don't want to keep requesting tests and them all coming back clear - I'm worried that one day I might actually really have a health problem, and they'll be reluctant to refer me...

But at the same time I know that my symptoms are very real! :( So I have no idea what counts as being a justified symptom to need a doctor's visit for!

If anyone else always feels the need to request tests/specialist's visits/referals I would love to know how you manage it, because I am really struggling atm:shrug:

[Andria24]

Rosie - in answer to your question, you deal with the illness that you have: anxiety.

It is an illness. Just because it's mental health doesn't make it less than some other ill health issue. Deal with it, find the treatment that works for you.

We all put ourselves through untold worry and terror when what we should be doing is dealing with the illnes that we do have.

I hope that makes sense :hugs:

[HoneyLove]

I agree with Andria, dealing with the underlying anxiety is the key here. Have you tried CBT or anything to help you deal with why you are anxious in the first place?