DollyBrown
15-05-14, 20:39
Hi everyone.
So in a nutshell I've been recently diagnosed with Health Anxiety. Although I've only just been diagnosed it has been building up for a few years and is now at quite a severe point.
I am only 22 years old and I am finding that it's completely taken over my life. I have a loving partner, a wonderful home, a beautiful baby, a stable job and I am due to continue my university education. I feel like I have much more than most people my age and I should be extraordinarily grateful for it and happy and content with life. But I can't find joy in anything anymore as this anxiety is constantly like an elephant in the room.
I feel like I am constantly in pain somewhere in my body. Sometimes I'm rational and think 'It's the anxiety causing that'. Most of the time I generally think the worst. I've probably believed that I've got every cancer going along with every serious disease possible. I'm terrified that one day it will be something serious but no-one will know because 'Oh, it will just be your anxiety' again.
I am currently going through Cognitive Behaviour Therapy sessions once a week. I'm on my 6th week and I really don't feel it's making much of a difference. I've always turned down any form of anti-anxiety medication that's been offered to me in fear of it making me worse.
Any help/advice anyone could give about coping or living with Health Anxiety would be very much appreciated. I'd love to hear other people's stories to know I'm not alone. If anyone has any first hand experience with CBT or anti-anxiety medication that would also be great to know! I don't think I can cope with this alone anymore :(
So in a nutshell I've been recently diagnosed with Health Anxiety. Although I've only just been diagnosed it has been building up for a few years and is now at quite a severe point.
I am only 22 years old and I am finding that it's completely taken over my life. I have a loving partner, a wonderful home, a beautiful baby, a stable job and I am due to continue my university education. I feel like I have much more than most people my age and I should be extraordinarily grateful for it and happy and content with life. But I can't find joy in anything anymore as this anxiety is constantly like an elephant in the room.
I feel like I am constantly in pain somewhere in my body. Sometimes I'm rational and think 'It's the anxiety causing that'. Most of the time I generally think the worst. I've probably believed that I've got every cancer going along with every serious disease possible. I'm terrified that one day it will be something serious but no-one will know because 'Oh, it will just be your anxiety' again.
I am currently going through Cognitive Behaviour Therapy sessions once a week. I'm on my 6th week and I really don't feel it's making much of a difference. I've always turned down any form of anti-anxiety medication that's been offered to me in fear of it making me worse.
Any help/advice anyone could give about coping or living with Health Anxiety would be very much appreciated. I'd love to hear other people's stories to know I'm not alone. If anyone has any first hand experience with CBT or anti-anxiety medication that would also be great to know! I don't think I can cope with this alone anymore :(