anxious in Iowa
27-11-06, 22:30
hello,
I'm new to the board. I'm 20 years old and I've always had anxiety. However, since going through a traumatic "coming out" experience as a teen, my anxiety has focused more and more on health issues--mostly cancer. I know how to explain away pretty much every rational dialogue about why I don't have cancer--including doctors' and psychiatrists' explanations. Right now, I'm convinced I have liver cancer. My right back and rib cage ache, though I know that it is probably from slouching in front of the computer...I constantly check my symptoms online which makes me have incredible panic attacks every time. I've been on and off meds for a couple years. Mostly sexual side-effects and worries that the meds could somehow prevent me from recognizing serious health symptoms keeps me off the meds. However, they tend to help my anxiety when I stay on them regularly. I'm not sure if this forum will be helpful or not. I hope that it will be helpful. Instead of checking symptoms, I'd like to just come here instead. Right now I'm in the midst of college finals, which are stressful enough without health anxiety. Going home for the holidays also makes me intensely anxious and depressed. Anyway, I hope being part of a community of people with health anxiety will help.
Thanks,
MJ
I'm new to the board. I'm 20 years old and I've always had anxiety. However, since going through a traumatic "coming out" experience as a teen, my anxiety has focused more and more on health issues--mostly cancer. I know how to explain away pretty much every rational dialogue about why I don't have cancer--including doctors' and psychiatrists' explanations. Right now, I'm convinced I have liver cancer. My right back and rib cage ache, though I know that it is probably from slouching in front of the computer...I constantly check my symptoms online which makes me have incredible panic attacks every time. I've been on and off meds for a couple years. Mostly sexual side-effects and worries that the meds could somehow prevent me from recognizing serious health symptoms keeps me off the meds. However, they tend to help my anxiety when I stay on them regularly. I'm not sure if this forum will be helpful or not. I hope that it will be helpful. Instead of checking symptoms, I'd like to just come here instead. Right now I'm in the midst of college finals, which are stressful enough without health anxiety. Going home for the holidays also makes me intensely anxious and depressed. Anyway, I hope being part of a community of people with health anxiety will help.
Thanks,
MJ