Iblametheparents
02-11-15, 23:12
Finding this forum has helped me to realise that what I go through is far from unique and isolated. At any one time, more people are looking at the HA threads than any other. I find that most reassuring and deeply saddening that so many suffer needlessly.
Controlling health anxiety is a fine balance at the best of times. For example, after being convinced I had HIV for 7 years in my 20s, I vowed afterwards never to let a worry fester again. If ever I was worried about having something I would "nip it in the bud" and get checked out immediately. However, that kind of thinking is not that helpful either. Constant fire-fighting is not conducive to a happy life. It isn't normal to call the GP the same morning as finding a new symptom in most cases. Many things are self-limiting and will settle on their own.
So I apply strict rules nowadays. If I know it's triggering anxiety I make myself wait 2 weeks. That's not long in the grand scheme of things. If the GP says to watch and wait, I do so for at least another 2 weeks. It's hard. REALLY hard, and I do it partly not to piss my GP off and seem like a freak! My big fear is being fobbed off for being a PITA. Nobody wants to be a heart-sink patient.
I'm not on any medication. In my experience the cure is worse than the disease. How do others control their HA symptoms?
Controlling health anxiety is a fine balance at the best of times. For example, after being convinced I had HIV for 7 years in my 20s, I vowed afterwards never to let a worry fester again. If ever I was worried about having something I would "nip it in the bud" and get checked out immediately. However, that kind of thinking is not that helpful either. Constant fire-fighting is not conducive to a happy life. It isn't normal to call the GP the same morning as finding a new symptom in most cases. Many things are self-limiting and will settle on their own.
So I apply strict rules nowadays. If I know it's triggering anxiety I make myself wait 2 weeks. That's not long in the grand scheme of things. If the GP says to watch and wait, I do so for at least another 2 weeks. It's hard. REALLY hard, and I do it partly not to piss my GP off and seem like a freak! My big fear is being fobbed off for being a PITA. Nobody wants to be a heart-sink patient.
I'm not on any medication. In my experience the cure is worse than the disease. How do others control their HA symptoms?