bin tenn
02-02-15, 18:23
Hi everyone. I'm new here. 27 almost 28 year old male, United States. I've suffered from panic/anxiety attacks and an anxiety driven mind for roughly 11 or 12 years. Only within the past 4 or so years did it really turn into Health Anxiety.
In the past few years I've been convinced that I have: brain cancer/tumor (my first ever health fear), lung cancer, testicular cancer, all types of common skin cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, oral cancer, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, and more.
What have I told myself as far as why I may have health anxieties:
Number 1: Guilty. Simple as that. I haven't stayed on top of regular doctor or dentist visits since I was 18, so almost 10 years. I've had a few dental visits, but not as often as I should. I've had 2 or 3 ER visits (once for strep throat, and a couple others for stomach bugs). But aside from that, I haven't had a routine doctor visit/checkup/exam in over 10 years. I believe my anxieties may very well be due to feeling guilty. Like I have something wrong with me and it's too far to be treated because I neglected my health.
Number 2: A dream that always stuck with me, and I had it when I was a teenager -- probably 12 or 13 years ago. In the dream, my mom told me that a sibling had cancer. The worst part: she said "cancer is contagious, you need to go get checked." Since my health anxieties really began a few years ago, I think of that dream and I think "what if that was a sign, and I've neglected it?" Seriously?! Yeah, right. Like I'd have cancer for over 10 years with zero treatment, right? Haha!
I have some tiny blister-like bumps inside my bottom lip right. They're recurring. They are likely due to irritation from the fact that I bite my cheeks and lips especially when anxious. But oral cancer fears linger in the back of my mind. Especially because I'm a smoker.
Mostly just wanted to say hi, introduce myself, give a little background. I'll be as active as I can here. Hopefully I can help others, and I'll be able to find help for myself as well.
:)
In the past few years I've been convinced that I have: brain cancer/tumor (my first ever health fear), lung cancer, testicular cancer, all types of common skin cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, oral cancer, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, and more.
What have I told myself as far as why I may have health anxieties:
Number 1: Guilty. Simple as that. I haven't stayed on top of regular doctor or dentist visits since I was 18, so almost 10 years. I've had a few dental visits, but not as often as I should. I've had 2 or 3 ER visits (once for strep throat, and a couple others for stomach bugs). But aside from that, I haven't had a routine doctor visit/checkup/exam in over 10 years. I believe my anxieties may very well be due to feeling guilty. Like I have something wrong with me and it's too far to be treated because I neglected my health.
Number 2: A dream that always stuck with me, and I had it when I was a teenager -- probably 12 or 13 years ago. In the dream, my mom told me that a sibling had cancer. The worst part: she said "cancer is contagious, you need to go get checked." Since my health anxieties really began a few years ago, I think of that dream and I think "what if that was a sign, and I've neglected it?" Seriously?! Yeah, right. Like I'd have cancer for over 10 years with zero treatment, right? Haha!
I have some tiny blister-like bumps inside my bottom lip right. They're recurring. They are likely due to irritation from the fact that I bite my cheeks and lips especially when anxious. But oral cancer fears linger in the back of my mind. Especially because I'm a smoker.
Mostly just wanted to say hi, introduce myself, give a little background. I'll be as active as I can here. Hopefully I can help others, and I'll be able to find help for myself as well.
:)