skippy66
16-11-13, 15:30
I've lost count of the number of new threads where the poster describes their current ailment followed by 'does anyone else get this'?
I know why people do it - they're hoping for 3 or 4 replies from different people saying 'I've had that', people who either survived whatever it was or are surviving it now. The logic is this: if other people have the same symptoms and are ok, I'm probably ok too.
What this boils down to is simple reassurance-seeking from peers. It's absolutely not helpful in reducing health anxiety. What you must realise is this: the fact that other people have or have had symptoms similar to yours makes no difference whatsoever to your current situation. Your situation is unique. Stop looking for this type of reassurance, because it's not going to get you anywhere. Instead, try to accept what you are experiencing and resist the urge to ask others if they have it too.
I know why people do it - they're hoping for 3 or 4 replies from different people saying 'I've had that', people who either survived whatever it was or are surviving it now. The logic is this: if other people have the same symptoms and are ok, I'm probably ok too.
What this boils down to is simple reassurance-seeking from peers. It's absolutely not helpful in reducing health anxiety. What you must realise is this: the fact that other people have or have had symptoms similar to yours makes no difference whatsoever to your current situation. Your situation is unique. Stop looking for this type of reassurance, because it's not going to get you anywhere. Instead, try to accept what you are experiencing and resist the urge to ask others if they have it too.